As a conspicuous proof of the glaring hypocrisy of the “nobility,” who, in the constitution, threw open the door of the Church to the Negro, it should be said, that, during the period from the founding of the Province down to the colonial war, no attempt was ever made, through the ecclesiastical establishment, to dissipate the dark clouds of ignorance that enveloped the Negro’s mind.  They were left in a state of ignorance and crime.  The gravest social evils were winked at by masters, whose lecherous examples were the occasion for the most grievous offending of the slaves.  The Mulattoes and other free Negroes were taxed.  They had no place in the militia, nor could they claim the meanest rights of the humblest “leetman.”

FOOTNOTES: 

[497] Bancroft, vol. ii., 5th ed. p. 148.

[498] Statutes of S.C., vol. i. pp. 53-55.

[499] Public Acts of N.C., vol. i. p. 64.

[500] This is an instance of humanity in the North-Carolina code worthy of special note.  It stands as the only instance of justice toward the over-worked and under-fed slaves of the colony.

[501] Public Acts of N.C., p.65.

[502] Public Acts of N.C., p. 66.

[503] The Act of 1741 says, “until 31 years of age.”

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE COLONY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

1679-1775.

     THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS EXERCISES
     AUTHORITY OVER THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AT ITS
     ORGANIZATION.—­SLAVERY EXISTED FROM THE BEGINNING.—­THE
     GOVERNOR RELEASES A SLAVE FROM BONDAGE.—­INSTRUCTION AGAINST
     IMPORTATION OF SLAVES.—­SEVERAL ACTS REGULATING THE CONDUCT
     OF SERVANTS.—­THE INDIFFERENT TREATMENT OF SLAVES.—­THE
     IMPORTATION OF INDIAN SERVANTS FORBIDDEN.—­AN ACT CHECKING
     THE SEVERE TREATMENT OF SERVANTS AND SLAVES.—­SLAVES IN THE
     COLONY UNTIL THE COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.

Anterior to the year 1679, the provincial government of Massachusetts exercised authority over the territory that now comprises the State of New Hampshire.  It is not at all improbable, then, that slavery existed in this colony from the beginning of its organic existence.  As early as 1683 it was set upon by the authorities as a wicked and hateful institution.  On the 14th of March, 1684, the governor of New Hampshire assumed the responsibility of releasing a Negro slave from bondage.  The record of the fact is thus preserved:—­

     “The governor tould Mr. Jaffery’s negro hee might goe from
     his master, hee would clere him under hande and sele, so the
     fello no more attends his master’s consernes."[504]