[Footnote A:  One of the brightest instances was that afforded by Warner Mifflin.  He gave unconditional liberty to his slaves.  He paid all the adults, on their discharge, the sum, which arbitrators, mutually chosen, awarded them.]

[Footnote B:  Previously to the year 1787, several of the states had made the terms of manumission more easy.]

Having given to the reader the history of the third class of forerunners and coadjutors, as it consisted of the Quakers in America, I am now to continue it, as it consisted of an union of these with others on the same continent, in the year 1774, in behalf of the African race.  To do this, I shall begin with the causes which led to the production of this great event.

And, in the first place, as example is more powerful than precept, we cannot suppose that the Quakers could have shown these noble instances of religious principle, without supposing also that individuals of other religious denominations would be morally instructed by them.  They who lived in the neighborhood where they took place, must have become acquainted with the motives which led to them.  Some of them must at least have praised the action, though they might not themselves have been ripe to follow the example:  nor is it at all improbable that these might be led, in the course of the workings of their own minds, to a comparison between their own conduct and that of the Quakers on this subject, in which they themselves might appear to be less worthy in their own eyes.  And as there is sometimes a spirit of rivalship among the individuals of religious sects, where the character of one is sounded forth as higher than that of another; this, if excited by such a circumstance, would probably operate for good.  It must have been manifest also to many, after a lapse of time, that there was no danger in what the Quakers had done, and that there was even sound policy in the measure.  But, whatever were the several causes, certain it is, that the example of the Quakers in leaving off all concern with the Slave Trade, and in liberating their slaves, (scattered, as they were, over various parts of America,) contributed to produce in many of a different religious denomination from themselves, a more tender disposition than had been usual towards the African race.

But a similar disposition towards these oppressed people was created in others, by means of other circumstances or causes.  In the early part of the eighteenth century, Judge Sewell of New England came forward as a zealous advocate for them:  he addressed a memorial to the legislature, which he called, The Selling of Joseph, and in which he pleaded their cause both as a lawyer and, a Christian.  This memorial produced an effect upon many, but particularly upon those of his own persuasion; and from this time the Presbyterians appear to have encouraged a sympathy in their favour.