of manumission. Several of these bills & Certificates
were deposited in my hands & those who
survived the three years service were free.
In 1780 the present Constitution of Massts was established
& in the first article of the declaration of Rights
asserts that "all men are born free & equal"
This clause was inserted not merely as a general moral &
political
truth but with a particular view to the establish
the liberation of the Negroes on a general prin-
ciple; & to so it was understood by the people in
general, at but some doubted. See preceedg page [x]
In 1783 The State of NH established their
Con-
stitution & in the 1st article of the declaration of
Rights it is sd that "all men are born
equally
"free & independent." The construction there put
on this clause is, that all who have been born
since the constitution was made are free, but that
those who were in slavery before are not liberated by it.
By reason of this construction (which I do not
mean to defend) in the census of 1790 the blacks
in that State are distinguished into Slaves & free No Indians in that
State
In ye same Census No slaves are set down to
Massachusetts. This return of the Marshal