Slavery in Pennsylvania / A Dissertation Submitted to the Board of University Studies of the Johns Hopkins University in Conformity with the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 1910

by Edward Raymond Turner

[255] Art. IX, sect. 1.

[256] Journal of the House, 1792–1793, pp. 39, 55.

[257] MS. Docket Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, XXVII, 379. The suit was on a writ “de homine replegiando.” Cf. Stroud, Sketch of the Laws Relating to Slavery in the Several States of the United States of America (2d ed.), 227 (note); MS. Docket of the High Court of Errors and Appeals, 1780–1808, p. 126; Pa. Gazette, Feb. 3, 1802; Report of Pa. Soc. Abol. Sl. in Minutes Sixth Convention Abol. Soc., Phila., 1800, p. 7. It was the different decision of an exactly similar question that abolished slavery in Massachusetts. Cf. Littleton v. Tuttle, 4 Massachusetts 128.

[258] Journal of Senate, 1792–1793, pp. 150, 151; 1798–1799, p. 149; J. of H., 1799–1800, pp. 76, 123, 153, 160, 172, 190; J. of S., 1799–1800, p. 223; J. of S., 1800–1801, pp. 134, 135; J. of H., 1802–1803, p. 218; J. of H., 1811–1812, pp. 24, 216; 4 Pa. Arch., IV, 757, for Governor Snyder’s message.

[259] J. of H., 1796–1797, pp. 283, 308, 354, 355; J. of H., 1797–1798, pp. 75, 269; J. of H., 1798–1799, pp. 20, 354; J. of H., 1799–1800, pp. 23, 76, 93, 123, 153, 160, 162, 172, 176, 190, 236, 303, 304, 306, 309, 310, 313, 314, 330, 358, 376; J. of S., 1799–1800, pp. 144, 223, 235. The bill passed the House 54 to 15. J. of S., 1800–1801, p. 175; J. of S., 1801–1802, p. 24.

[260] J. of H., 1802–1803, pp. 361, 362; 1804–1805, p. 61; Pa. Gazette, Feb. 1, 1804; J. of H., 1811–1812, pp. 58, 67, 216; J. of. S., 1820–1821, p. 33; Phila. Gazette, Mar. 6, 1821; J. of S., 1820–1821, pp. 105, 308, 469, 531, 532, 535, 536. For the provisions of such a bill—the abolition of slavery and of servitude until twenty-eight—compensation of owners—permission for negroes to remain slaves if they so desired—cf. House Report no. 399 (1826); J. of H., 1825–1826, pp. 370, 375, 396, 497, 498. Also J. of S., 1841, vol. I, 249, 294.

[261] The numbers were 1790, 3737; 1800, 1706; 1810, 795; 1820, 211; 1830, 67; 1840, 64 (?). The U. S. Census Reports do not mention any after 1840, but it is said that James Clark of Donegal Township, Lancaster County, held a slave in 1860. Cf. W. J. McKnight, Pioneer Outline History of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 311. It is necessary to remark that the U. S. Census reported 386 as the number of slaves in 1830. As this was in increase of 175 over the number reported in 1820, it aroused consternation in Pennsylvania and amazement elsewhere, so that a committee of the Senate was immediately appointed to investigate. Their account showed that there had been no increase but a substantial diminution in numbers; and that the U. S. officers had been grossly careless, if not positively ignorant in their work. J. of S., 1832–1833, vol. I, 141, 148, 482–487; Hazard’s Register, IV, 380; IX, 270–272, 395; XI, 158, 159; African Repository and Colonial Journal, VII, 315.

[262] Cf. J. of S., 1821–1822, pp. 214, 215.

[263] Minutes Tenth American Convention Abol. Sl., Phila., 1805, p. 13.

[264] Stat. at L., X, 71.