d ordered to be read
again on Friday next, at 10 o'clock A.M." Accordingly, on the 13th of
June, the bill was "read a second time, and after Debate thereon, it
was moved and seconded, That the same lie upon the Table, and that
Application be made to Congress on the subject thereof; and the
Question being put, it passed in the affirmative, and Mr. Speaker, Mr.
Wendell, and Col. Orne, were appointed a Committee to prepare a letter
to Congress accordingly, and report." The last action, as far as
indicated by the journal, was had on Saturday, June 14, when "the
Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to Congress, on the subject of
the Bill for preventing the Practice of holding Persons in Slavery,
reported." It was "Read and ordered to lie."[623] And so it did "lie,"
for that was the end of the matter.

Judge Sargent, who was chairman of the committee appointed on the 18th
of March, 1777, was doubtless the author of the following bill:--

"STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY. IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1777.

"AN ACT for preventing the practice of holding persons in
Slavery.

"WHEREAS, the practice of holding Africans and the children
born of them, or any other persons, in Slavery, is
unjustifiable in a civil government, at a time when they are
asserting their natural freedom; wherefore, for preventing
such a practice for the future, and establishing to every
person residing within the State the invaluable blessing of
liberty.

"_Be it Enacted_, by the Council and House of
Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the
authority of the same,--That all persons, whether black or
of other complexion, above 21 years of age, now held in
Slavery, shall, from and after the ---- day of ---- next, be
free from any subjection to any master or mistress, who have
claimed their servitude by right of purchase, heirship, free
gift, or otherwise, and they are hereby entitled to all the
freedom, rights, privileges and immunities that do, or ought
of right to belong to any of the subjects of this State, any
usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.

"_And be it Enacted_, by the authority aforesaid, that all
written deeds, bargains, sales or conveyances, or contracts
without writing, whatsoever, for conveying or transferring
any property in any person, or to the service and labor of
any person whatsoe