and _sold for_ 15 _years only, if he continues
to behave well_."

From "The Independent Chronicle," May 8, 1777:--

"_To be_ SOLD, for want of employ, a likely strong NEGRO
GIRL, about 18 years old, understands all sorts of household
business, and can be well recommended."

The strange and trying vicissitudes through which the colonies had
passed exposed their hypocrisy, revealed the weakness of their
government, and forced them to another attempt at the extirpation of
slavery. The valorous conduct of the Negro soldiers in the army had
greatly encouraged their friends and emboldened their brethren, who
still suffered from the curse of slavery. The latter were not silent
when an opportunity presented to claim the rights they felt their due.
On the 18th of March, 1777, the following petition was addressed, by
the slaves in Boston, to the Legislature:--

"PETITION OF MASSACHUSETTS SLAVES.

"The petition of a great number of negroes, who are detained
in a state of slavery in the very bowels of a free and
Christian country, humbly showing,--

"That your petitioners apprehend that they have, in common
with all other men, a natural and inalienable right to that
freedom, which the great Parent of the universe hath
bestowed equally on all mankind, and which they have never
forfeited by any compact or agreement whatever. But they
were unjustly dragged by the cruel hand of power from their
dearest friends, and some of them even torn from the
embraces of their tender parents,--from a populous, pleasant
and plentiful country, and in violation of the laws of
nature and of nations, and in defiance of all the tender
feelings of humanity, brought hither to be sold like beasts
of burthen, and, like them, condemned to slavery for
life--among a people possessing the mild religion of
Jesus--a people not insensible of the sweets of national
freedom, nor without a spirit to resent the unjust endeavors
of others to reduce them to a state of bondage and
subjection.

"Your Honors need not to be informed that a life of slavery
like that of your petitioners, deprived of every social
privilege, of every thing requisite to render life even
tolerable, is far worse than non-existence.

"In imitation of the laudable example of the good people of
these States, your petitioners have long a