Query 8
What are their political rights or disabilities?
If there be any discrimination between them
& white persons ?
They pr are equally under the protection of the Laws
as other people. Some Gentlemen whom I have
consulted, are of opinion that they are can not elect nor
be elected to the offices of Government, others are of a
different opinion, For my own part I have seen
nothing in the Constitution which disqualifies them
either from electing or being elected, if they have such
qualifications as are therein required, which
may be obtained by blacks as well as whites.
Some of them, do certainly vote in the choice of
Officers for the State & Federal Government, & no person
has contested their right. Instances of their
elections
of a black to any public Office are very rare. I know of
but one, A man & he was a Town Clerk in one
of the Country Towns. He was a man of good sense,
& morals & had a common school education; &
if I remember right had a black father & a white one of his
Parents was black & ye other
either a White or Molatto mother. He is now dead.
The blacks are not now enrolled in the Militia.
In 1786, They offered their Service to Gov Bowdoin to
[This paragraph continues at the bottom of p. 30.]