Query 5. The mode by which slavery hath been
abolished there ? Whether by a general and
simultaneous emancipation ? or at different
periods ? or whether by declaring all per-
sons born after a particular period free ?
The general answer is that slavery hath been
abolished here by public opinion; which began to
be established about the time of the stamp-act. Sever-
al persons who had before entertained senti-
ments opposed to the slavery of the blacks, did
then take occasion publickly to remonstrate agt
the inconsistency of contending for our own rights Liberty
& at the same time depriving other people of theirs.
Pamphlets & essays in news papers appeared on
this subject, & it was frequently entered into
the
conversation of people of reflection. Some were
hard to be persuaded, but the general opinion
began to be against slavery & many who before had
witho remorse been ye purchasers of Slaves,
condemned yms for it & retracted their
former opino. The Quakers were
Zealous against it; & the writings of Anthony
Benezet of Phila were spread by
them thro' the
Country, chiefly by their instrumentality. Nathl
Appleton & James Swan Merchts in
Bo & Dr B Rush
of
Phila distinguished themselves as writers on
the side