Document Analysis #3: Natural and Inalienable Right to Freedom: Slaves Petition for

Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature, 1777

The colonist who often saw themselves as slaves to the British both in terms of tyranny
and a loss of freedom espoused ideas of John Locke where individuals had inalienable rights
including the rights of life, liberty ,and the pursuit of happiness. These philosophical ideas
influenced The Declaration of Independence and also led to a questioning of equality and
freedom in the newly created republic. Some argued that slavery was in direct opposition to the
idea that all men were created equal and had inalienable rights which is present in the
Declaration of Independence. Slaves linked the struggle of the Americans to free themselves with
their struggle to be a free people as well.
In a petition to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1777 to free enslaved people, the author
cites natural and inalienable rights that proliferated in the rhetoric during the American
Revolution and also provides religious justification for the end of slavery. The petition first
points out that in a Free and Christian nation slavery should not rationally exist. Enslaved
people legally and morally have the same right to freedom when it is bestowed equally by God
to all mankind in a virtuous and free nation. The ideals of the revolution and the Declaration of
Independence logically gives enslaved people rights. The argument is made that people that
were unjustly dragged which was a violation of Laws of Nature and not compatible with a
Christian population should not be cursed to endure a lifetime of suffering. Some appeals to
pathos (emotions) are used with the loaded language of torn from the Embraces of their tender
parents; their humanity is emphasized to evoke emotions and persuade the legislature. In this
way the argument is that slavery should be ended because it is not consistent with the values of a
free people or a Christian people. The petition makes the point that slavery is in itself far worse
than nonexistence and is a cruel institution that needs to be abolished. It petitions the
legislature to Restore to the Enjoyments of that which is the Naturel Right of all men and their
children. It argues that if slavery persists the ideals of the revolution are not realized as they
condemned the British of depriving them of their freedom as they oppose their rule and deprive
the slaves of theirs. They call their fight with Britain a Glorious struggle for liberty and endow
Blessing to them hoping that they (slaves) will win their struggle for liberty as well. The most
convincing aspect of the argument was the parallels between the Americans and the enslaved
people. If all men are created equal and have the right to freedom and inalienable rights than
all men are born fee and Equal. An exception would be counterintuitive.
This document is part of a larger movement to free slaves across the country. Many
freed slaves in an attempt to live up to ideals of the republic. In the South some freed their
slaves. Even though slavery persisted because of economics, efforts were made to limit slavery.
In new western lands slavery was not permitted and the abolishment of slavery was part of the
discussion when creating the constitution.