the buyers ; but the acts imposing it were still temporary,
though constantly renewed whenever an extraordinary sup-
ply of money was required ; and was gradually increased
from five to twenty per cent. ad valorem. As soon as the
revolution took place, the legislature passed an act prohibit-
ing the importation of slaves under the severest penalties ;
and permitting, what had hitherto been prohibited, the
voluntary emancipation of them, by their masters. The
question of a general emanicipation has not, that I know,
been brought on the carpet in the legislature ; but I am ful-
ly persuaded that circumstance is altogether owing to the
difficulties which present themselves to every reflecting
mind. To assist in removing them, is the object of this let-
ter ; for having observed, with much pleasure, that slavery
has been wholly exterminated from the
Massachusetts ; and
being impressed with an idea, that it once had existence
there, I have cherished a hope that we may, from the exam-
ple of our sister state, learn what methods are most likely to
succeed in removing the same evil from among ourselves.
With this view, I have taken the liberty to enclose a few
queries, which, if your leisure will permit you to answer, you
will confer on me a favour, which I shall always consider as
an obligation : And if, in the pursuits in which you are en-
gaged, any subject should occur, in which you may be
dis-
posed to obtain information from this quarter, I will not
promise to afford it you, but I assure you that I will most
faithfully endeavour to do it.
humble servant,
REV. DR. BELKNAP.
In consequence of the foregoing letter, the queries which
it enclosed were printed, and about forty copies were dis-
tributed among such gentlemen as it was supposed would
assist in answering them. Some of them gave answers, from
which, and from other souces of information, the subsequent
facts and observations were drawn, and sent to the querist.
April 21, 1795