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By Codis Hampton II May 15, 2008 Issue |
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In the next twelve to fourteen
issues we are going to examine the causes' and affects of slavery as
experience by the ancestors of African Americans. We will report its
origins, proliferation, and abolishment by Emancipation
Proclamation. We present part
III...__________________________________
The American Revolution
The year is 1770. It is well documented that Crispus Attucks, an escaped slave was the first causality in the American Revolution. He was part of a simple labor protest that occurred outside a British garrison in Boston. The troops fired into the crowd, who had thrown rocks and snowballs at the soldiers killing Crispus.
One of the great ironies was the “freedom from England’s oppression” thought process of the Americas Colonist.
1774 England was an aristocracy. Its leaders were born and bred for the role of leadership. The common folk accepted a life of dependency. They truly regarded their leaders as superior and figure their lowly station in life was hereditary and would not change throughout their life.
The colonist attitude was different. Unlike their relatives, they were self-reliant and independent people. They thought no one was their superior. Surviving in the New World made them aggressive, and unlikely to follow the old customs. They believed they were free men and not legally bound to obey The English Parliament. They were placed in the Americas by the king wishes and would answer (out of loyalty) only to him.
The Parliament believe these lowly, uneducated, ill manner woods people were subject to England rule of law, whatever that may be. In fact, people of their kind did not have political rights in the homeland. So who were they to suggest what to tax, who to tax, and why? After all, the Parliament was looking out for the best interest of the Empire. Even the King had to have his policies endorsed by the Parliament.
By 1775, the American Colonist numbered 2 ˝ million. Their wealth was growing fast with the help of free labor. The fact that a former, tradesmen, etc could produce a product, and realize a profit of 3 to 5 times the production cost is directly attributed to the practice of slavery. The newfound wealth would allow the Americans to explore new enterprises and trade with other countries. England would not support that in which they could not benefit.
The fighting officially began on April 19, 1775. British troops fired on fifty minutemen (killing eight) at Lexington Mass as they refused to stand aside and let them pass on the road. The British were heading for Concord Mass. Reaching Concord, the British destroyed the colonist supplies and started their march back to Lexington where they were met by the fire of 400 minutemen causing them to retreat to Boston. The Revolution had begun.
Although “Negroes & Vagabonds” were forbidden to enlist in the George Washington commanded army, blacks were already contributed to the American cause. Slaves and Freemen were directly or indirect involved in support and front line skirmishes. They fought along side the Green Mountain Boys at Fort Ticonderoga.
The Articles of Confederation, better known as the first constitution was written in 1776/1777. They would not be ratified by the states until March of 1781, lasting until March 4th, 1789. The present Constitution of the United States went into effect the same day.
In addition, individual states adopted their own constitution primarily to address regional interest. Most state documents did not afford all its citizens equal rights. In fact poor white men lacked real power and could not vote unless they owned land and or property. White women could not vote at all. And there were no rights for slaves. The document was intended to outline citizens’ rights. And for the most part they did. Thus the term “Bill of Rights” documented what the government could not do to a United States citizen.
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While the states were fighting for their freedom, some slaves were trying to take matters in their own hands. The British seeking every advantage over the colonist offered freedom to slaves who joined their ranks. The result of their offer can be found in a letter written by plantation owner Robert Carter to the Commanding Officer at Portsmouth. It reads as follows,
Gentlemen--this is to advise that from the 31st day of march last passed to the 8th of april, nine days, only, 32 negroes left my plantation on Potomack River, commonly called Coles point who put themselves under the Care and direction of Some officers in the Service of Geo: the third king of Great Britain--negro tom, one of Said negroes, is now here, who Says that four of his fellow Servants, belonging to me, Viz Tom Cooper Ditcher, about 26 years old, nanny Spinster about 23 years old, Betty Spinster, about 18 years old, Judy dary maid about 25 years old, ware at Portsmouth last July when he made his escape from that place--but gives no information as to the remainder of my People--…
Carter wrote another letter to Reverand John Sutton, the overseer at the Leo Plantation. He enclosed a description list (which has not survived through time) of the runaways. He also asked the overseer to ask about their whereabouts in York, Gloucester, and Portsmouth. If any are found, he should “Sell one or all of Said negroes either at Publick or private sale”. It is not clear whether the slaves were ever found.
It is said that over 2000 slaves took this route hoping for freedom in the end. It was still a small number considering the slave population.
After learning of the British offer, George Washington changed his directive in 1775 and ordered the acceptance of “Free Blacks”. This action legitimized the contribution of those that had and continued to serve the American cause. Acrippa Hill, was one such free man that served as a surgeon assistant for six years. The slaves who fought were awarded their freedom. In the end, over 5000 free and slave African Americans fought on the side of the Americans. Some fought for the Army and others in local militias.
The struggle ended at Yorktown Virginia. British General Charles Cornwallis, surrounded by the American Continental Army along with General Jean Rochambeau’s French troops and weary from the last major battle of the war surrendered more that six thousand soldiers to General George Washington. American Independence had become more than a slogan.
The official independence from England came on September 3, 1783 with the passing of “The Treaty of Paris”. The Act passed by the British House of Commons permitting King George to finalize the move. The Colonist of the Americas could now claim their complete independence from the Empire.
Next issue (October 15, 2007), we will continue the series by offering Slavery In New York.
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