allowed the privilege of
freemen of the State, having no vote or influence in the election
of those that tax us, yet many of our color (as is well known)
have cheerfully entered the field of battle in the defence of the
common cause, and that (as we conceive) against a similar
exertion of power (in regard to taxation) too well known to need
a recital in this place.

"We most humble request, therefore, that you would take our
unhappy case into your serious consideration, and, in your wisdom
and power, grant us relief from taxation, while under our present
depressed circumstances; and your poor petitioners, as in duty
bound, shall ever pray, etc.

"JOHN CUFFE,
"ADVENTUR CHILD,
"PAUL CUFFE,
"SAMUEL GRAY, [his x mark.]
"PERO ROWLAND, [his x mark.]
"PERO RUSSELL, [his x mark.]
"PERO COGGESHALL.

"Dated at Dartmouth, the 10th of February, 1780.

"Memorandum in the handwriting of John Cuffe:

"This is the copy of the petition which we did deliver unto the
Honorable Council and House, for relief from taxation in the days
of our distress. But we received none. JOHN CUFFE."[55]

Not discouraged at the failure that attended the above petition, the
indefatigable Paul Cuffe, addressed the following to the selectmen of
his town the next year.

"A REQUEST.

"_To the Selectmen of the Town of Dartmouth, Greeting_:

We, the subscribers, your humble petitioners, desire that you
would, in your capacity, put a stroke in your next warrant for
calling a town meeting, so that it may legally be laid before
said town, by way of vote, to know the mind of said town, whether
all free negroes and mulattoes shall have the same privileges in
this said Town of Dartmouth as the white people have, respecting
places of profit, choosing of officers, and the like, together
with all other privileges in all cases that shall or may happen
or be brought in this our said Town of Dartmouth. We, your
petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray,

[Signed] "JOHN CUFFE,