of the constitution was discussed, the question of
slavery divided public sentiment. If it were left out of the
constitution, then the claims of the master would forever lack the
force of law; if it were inserted as part of the constitution, it
would evidence the insincerity of the people in their talk about the
equality of the rights of man, etc. The Legislature--Convention of
1777-78--prepared, debated, and finally approved and submitted to the
people, a draught of a constitution for the State, on the 28th of
February, 1778. The framers of the constitution seemed to lack the
courage necessary to declare in favor of the freedom of the faithful
blacks who had rendered such efficient aid to the cause of the
colonists. The prevailing sentiment of the people demanded an article
in the constitution denying Negroes the right of citizens. It may be
fortunate for the fame of the Commonwealth that the record of the
debates on the article denying Negroes the right of suffrage has not
been preserved. The article is here given:--

"V. Every male inhabitant of any town in this State, being
_free_, and twenty-one years of age, _excepting Negroes,
Indians and Mulattoes_, shall be intitled to vote for a
Representative or Representatives, as the case may be," etc.

By this article three classes of inhabitants were excluded from the
rights, blessings, and duties of citizenship; and the institution of
slavery was recognized as existing by sanction of law. But the
constitution was rejected by the people, by an overwhelming majority;
not, however, on account of the fifth article, but because the
instrument was obnoxious to them on general principles.

The defeat of the constitution did not temper public sentiment on the
question of Negro slavery, for the very next year the domestic trade
seemed to receive a fresh impetus. The following advertisements
furnish abundant proof of the undiminished vigor of the enterprise.

From "The Continental Journal," Nov. 25, 1779:--

"_To be_ SOLD A likely NEGRO GIRL, 16 years of Age, for no
fault, but want of employ."

From the same, Dec. 16, 1779:--

"_To be_ SOLD, A Strong likely NEGRO GIRL," etc.

From "The Independent Chronicle," March 9, 1780:--

"_To be_ SOLD, for want of employment, an exceeding likely
NEGRO GIRL, aged sixteen."

From the same, March 30 and April 6, 1780:--

"_To be_ SOLD, very Cheap, for no other Reason than for want