View source for Anti-Slavery Petition of 1795

[[File:Anti-Slavery Petition pg1.jpg|right|thumb|450px|<center>[http://lawlibrary.wm.edu/wythepedia/index.php/Media:AntiSlaveryPetition_1795.pdf Petition], page one.</center>]]
A [[Media:AntiSlaveryPetition_1795.pdf|petition by "sundry inhabitants" of Virginia]], presented to the [http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/ House of Delegates] in Richmond, Virginia on November 16, 1795, declaring the evils of the institution of slavery.<ref>"[[Media:AntiSlaveryPetition_1795.pdf|An Act to ameliorate the present condition of slaves, and give freedom to those born after the passing of the act]]." Library of Virginia, Legislative Petitions microfilm, Reel 233, Box 294, Folder 5.</ref> Not going so far as to demand immediate emancipation, the petitioners request a law be passed restricting "inhuman treatment" of slaves, and guaranteeing the freedom of children born to slaves after the law is enacted.<ref>The text of this petition was first recorded in "Antislavery Petitions Presented to the Virginia Legislature by Citizens of Various Counties," ''Journal of Negro History'' 12, no. 4 (October, 1927), 671-73.</ref>

The reading of the petition before the Virginia legislature was recorded in the [[Media:JournalOfTheHouseOfDelegates1795.pdf|House ''Journal'']]'':''

<blockquote>
A petition of sundry inhabitants of various parts of this state, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented and read, setting forth, that they consider slavery not only a moral but a political evil, which in all its forms, and degrees, is an outrageous violation and odious degradation of man, tending to weaken the bands [''sic''] of society, and endanger the peace and obstruct the prosperity of the country; and praying that an act may pass to ameliorate the present condition of slaves, and give freedom to such as shall be born after the passing of the said act.

''Ordered,'' That the said petition be referred to a committee of the whole House, on the 31st day of March next.<ref>''[[Media:JournalOfTheHouseOfDelegates1795.pdf|Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Begun and Held at the Capitol, in the City of Richmond, on Tuesday, the Tenth Day of November, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Five]],'' (Richmond, VA: Augustine Davis, 1795), 15. Augustine Davis, printer for the state, is named in the petition.</ref>
</blockquote>

There are 393 petitioners named, including [[John Marshall]], [[William DuVal]], and [[George Wythe]]. The list is all in one handwriting without individual signatures, and the preserved petition displayed here may be a copy. There was no result recorded with the Virginia legislature from this petition, and no action taken.<ref>[https://library.uncg.edu/slavery/petitions/details.aspx?pid=2244 "Petition 11679501 Details,"] Race and Slavery Petitions Project, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.</ref>

==Text of the petition, 16 November 1795==
===Page 1===
<center>
To The Speaker and House of Delegates in Virginia.<br />
The Petition of sundry Inhabitants of various parts of this State.
</center>

Respectfully Sheweth.

That your petitioners, from a full conviction that slavery is not only a moral but a political evil, which in all its forms, in all its degrees, is an outrageous violation and an odious degradation of human nature, tending to weaken the bonds of society, discourage trades and manufactures, indanger the peace and obstruct the prosperity of the country. And commiserating the unhappy situation of a large proportion of people within this state who by the Laws now in force, are held as personal property and they and their innocent offspring liable to be kept in perpetual bondage and ignorance, subject to the arbitrary will of those who hold them, as well in respect to inhuman treatment, as in unnatural separation from the most near and dear connections in life without appeal and without redress.  They therefore conceive themselves in duty bound to remind this House as the proper guardians of every description of men within the State of a subject so interesting, and which appears to them in a particular manner, to call the attention and require the interposition of the Legislature.

Your Petitioners regret that several States within the American Union where these unalienable rights of human nature to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been so clearly defined and successfully assured, should in contradiction thereto and contrary to the divine command of, "doing to others as they would they should do unto them," suffer under sanction of Law so large a number of fellow men to remain in a state of abject slavery; at a time too, when the burning spirit of liberty seems to be diffusing itself through the world.

[[File:Petition16November1795Crop.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Crop from page two of the petition, with "Geo. Wythe" as the second name to appear.]]
Your Petitioners are aware of the objections that probably would arise to a <u>general</u> and <u>immediate</u> Emancipation, as well from interested motives, as the unfitness of individuals for freedom:  They are not insensible that a people long destitute of the means of mental improvement may in some instances be sunk below the common standard of human nature; accustomed to move at the will of a master or overseer, reflection may in some degree be suspended and reason and conviction have but little influence on their conduct; They are also sensible to the effect of custom, and the prejudices arising from a habit of looking upon the African race as an inferior species of mankind, and regarding them only as property.  Believing nevertheless that, "God is no respecter of persons," that he "hath made of one blood all Nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the Earth," and that, "his mercies are over all his works;" Encouraged also by that gracious declaration of our Saviour as an excitement to acts of humanity and benevolence, Viz<sup>t</sup>. "Verily I say unto you inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."  Your Petitioner therefore in discharge of the duty they owe to the merciful Father of all the families of the Earth; compassion for the sufferers; and a desire to promote the true interest and prosperity of the Country; and also to remove as much as may be the objections which may arise from motives of present interest or the unfitness of individuals for freedom, and at the same time gradually abolish an evil of great magnitude: They humbly propose, and pray that a law may be [passed] declaring the children of Slaves now born or to be born after the passing of such an Act, to be made free, as they [come to proper]

===Page 2===
ages to [enjoy] their instruction to Read &amp;c. and to invest them with suitable privileges as an excitement to become useful citizens; and also to restrain the holders from inhuman treatment of those who may remain in Bondage.  Or that the House may grant such other relief as in its wisdom may seem meet.<br />
<br />

{| style="width: 90%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0;" |-
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 1px 1px 0 0;" |
David Meade<br />
[[George Wythe|Geo. Wythe]]<br />
Edmund Jones<br />
John Cringan<br />
Robert Turnbull<br />
William Richardson<br />
Samuel Couch<br />
Augustine Davis<br />
Joseph Harding<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. [Rufred?]<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. T. Bates<br />
Joseph A. Myers<br />
Reuben Harrison<br />
James Wright<br />
George Wills<br />
John Bryan<br />
Andrew Thaklin<br />
[Thelin?] Sheltman<br />
Peter Kelly<br />
John Ferguson<br />
[Obscured]<br />
Ja<sup>s</sup>. Moore<br />
Nicholas Walder<br />
George Wymer<br />
Joseph Pinnell<br />
Joseph Porter<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. Wall<br />
Reuben Finnell<br />
James Moore<br />
Carr Waller<br />
John Parrish<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Ratcliff<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Shelburn<br />
Lewellin Spencer<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Weathers<br />
Charles Talley<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. Gover<br />
[Barenil?] Hough<br />
Thomas Moore<br />
Joseph Fisher<br />
[Obscured] Ratikin<br />
[Obscured] Canby<br />
[Obscured] Cavan
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 1px 1px 0 0; padding-left: 5px;" |
[[wikipedia:John Harvie |John Harvie]]<br />
[[wikipedia:Charles Willing Byrd | Charles W. Byrd]]<br />
John Pleasant<br />
John Carew Ju<sup>r</sup>.<br />
John McClurg<br />
Frederick Argyle<br />
J. Darmdale<br />
J. Heron<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Barnett<br />
John Lyre<br />
Arch<sup>d</sup>. Pleasant<br />
Hugh French<br />
John Welch<br />
Ferdinand Lair<br />
Jacob Chauster<br />
Jarold Wiseman<br />
[[wikipedia:Robert Rutherford (congressman) |Rob<sup>t</sup>. Rutherford]]<br />
James Brown<br />
John Deaning<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. Myer<br />
[Obscured]<br />
George [Hir?]<br />
Shepherd Collins<br />
Charles Bodkin<br />
James Pinnell<br />
William Gains<br />
William Wright<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Keyes<br />
S.D. Haricman<br />
Lawrence Manfield<br />
John Dickerson<br />
Manfield B. Wood<br />
Richard Rix<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. Brown<br />
Jade Williams<br />
Tho<sup>j</sup>. Crenshaw<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Mitchener<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. Murray<br />
Isaac Thompson<br />
George Gregg<br />
Joseph Talbot<br />
Jonas Potts<br />
James Hamilton
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 1px 1px 0 0; padding-left: 5px;" |
James Warrington<br />
[[William DuVal]]<br />
John Stagg<br />
Geo. Clopton<br />
John Stewart<br />
Robert McCartney<br />
J. Pryor<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Fontaine<br />
Hale Sharp<br />
John Andrews<br />
Joseph Woodson<br />
Thomas Wafford<br />
Joseph Mitter<br />
Frederick Honaker<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Bryan<br />
Joseph Lair<br />
Elliot Rutherford<br />
Gordon Rogers<br />
Enos [Dorinis?]<br />
George Murray<br />
Lewis Stephens<br />
[[wikipedia:John Robertson (congressman)|John Robertson]]<br />
Samuel Weeks<br />
Enos Tail<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. Pinnell<br />
Richard Parks<br />
John Hutt<br />
David Robinson<br />
Eskridge Hall<br />
John Stevens<br />
George Arnold<br />
John Saunders<br />
Edmond Cole<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Ellis<br />
Edward Wilkinson<br />
Will<sup>m</sup>. Clayton<br />
Joseph Smith<br />
Joseph Jenny<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Barnes<br />
Isaac Siddal<br />
Thomas Smith<br />
Samuel Thompson<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. Donahue
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 1px 1px 0 0; padding-left: 5px;" |
Jam<sup>s</sup>. Tyler<br />
Anthy. Singleton<br />
[[wikipedia:Robert Pleasants |Rob<sup>t</sup>. Pleasants Ju<sup>r</sup>.]]<br />
[[John Marshall]]<br />
William Dabney<br />
Jackson Frayser<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. Parsons<br />
Alex<sup>r</sup>. Buchanan<br />
Ebenezar Maul<br />
Daniel Butter<br />
David Bullock<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. McKee<br />
Andrew Muirhead<br />
Michael Bachar<br />
Cornelius Bryan<br />
William Gray<br />
Archer Rutherford<br />
Josiah Shipman Ju<sup>r</sup>.<br />
John Stephen<br />
John J. Woodcock<br />
Lewis Stephens Ju<sup>r</sup>.<br />
Reuben Moore<br />
John Weeks<br />
John Hickman<br />
Will<sup>m</sup>. Pinnell<br />
Byron Mcgreath<br />
Thomas Benton<br />
Peter Harrison<br />
Reuben Hrother<br />
David Richardson Jr.<br />
Edward T. Rowgee<br />
John Roper<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Cowler<br />
John Pierce<br />
James Hill<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Stabler<br />
Francis Hague<br /> 
Mahlon Jenny<br />
[[wikipedia: Thomas Mason (1770–1800) |Thomas Mason]]<br />
John Hough<br />
John Hollingsworth<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Aniby<br />
Seven Powell&nbsp;&nbsp;W<sup>m</sup>. Hartshorn
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 1px 1px 0 0; padding-left: 5px;" |
Alexander Campbell<br />
Henry Heth<br />
James Binford<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. Lewis<br />
William Lawrence<br />
Joseph Butter<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Nicholson<ref>Possibly the Richmond printer Thomas Nicolson, who published [[Decisions of Cases in Virginia, by the High Court of Chancery|Wythe's Reports]], in 1795.</ref><br />
Adam Craig<br />
B. Rawlings<br />
Thomas Carneal<br />
Matthew Woodson<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Hughes<br />
Stephen Ruddill<br />
Rich<sup>d</sup>. Hughes<br />
Morgan Bryan<br />
Michael Waring<br />
William Dunnavan<br />
J. Shipman Sen<sup>r</sup>.<br />
Jacob Myer<br />
B. Selden<br />
John [Bates?]<br />
John Hickman<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. Jenkins<br />
Ja<sup>s</sup>. Sam<sup>l</sup>. Wright<br />
Dan<sup>l</sup>. Field<br />
John Thornhill<br />
James Robertson<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Maddox<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Thomas<br />
John West<br />
Richard Pope<br />
John Gadbury<br />
Henry Cowler<br />
Walter Hopkins<br />
Francis Lennard<br />
Joseph Beale<br />
Isaac Harris<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. Haugh<br />
John Hirsh<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Hough<br />
Joseph Wood<br />
Nathaniel Stephens<br />
Abraham Gilpin
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 1px 0 0 0; padding-left: 5px;" |
John Barrit<br />
Isaac Younghusband<br />
Cha<sup>s</sup>. Copland<br />
[Lain?] J Johnson<br />
Ro. Gambler<br />
John Butter<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Carter [Sr.?]<br />
Rob<sup>t</sup>. Langley<br />
John Harris<br />
James Ferguson<br />
Josiah Woodson<br />
Thomas Harrison<br />
John Claypott<br />
Paul Kauster<br />
Abner Wiseman<br />
Rob<sup>t</sup>. Harrison<br />
Jo<sup>h</sup>. Domey<br />
James Spinks<br />
Josiah Moore<br />
Hugh Kennedy<br />
Hezekiah Bonham<br />
Jessie Veach<br />
Michael Humble<br />
Reason Benton<br />
Hercules Hawkins<br />
John Hartford<br />
Ja<sup>s</sup>. Haughter<br />
Daniel Carrole<br />
Edward Teffin<br />
Rich<sup>d</sup>. Johnson<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Armistead<br />
John Hackaday<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Williamson<br />
John Christian<br />
Rob<sup>t</sup>. Drake<br />
Stephen Wilson<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. Willett<br />
Isaac Moore<br />
John Schooley<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. [Has?]<br />
Francis Hereford<br />
John Littlejohn<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. [Shreve?]
|}

===Page 3===
::::::::::Sundry Persons

::::::::::<u>Nov. 16<sup>th</sup></u>

::::::::::1795<br />
::::::::::To whole on 31<sup>st</sup> [March?]

===Page 4===
{| style="width: 90%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0;" |-
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 0 1px 0 0;" |
John Davenport<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. B. Harris<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Ocean<br />
Charles Hewlit<br />
Jos. Dobby<br />
Geo. Hite<br />
Lewis Duckwell<br />
Philip Clover<br />
Ambrose Clark<br />
James Hedges<br />
Thomas Hale<br />
Presley Boydston<br />
Alex<sup>r</sup>. Lenierr<br />
Jo. Franklin Jr.<br />
Enoch Martin<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. Welsh<br />
Ja<sup>s</sup>. [Sture?]<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Heil<br />
Moses Harlan<br />
James Baley<br />
Richard Barrett<br />
Rob<sup>t</sup>. Haines<br />
Rob<sup>t</sup>. Evans<br />
<br />
<br />
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 0 1px 0 0; padding-left: 5px;" |
John Turner<br />
Elijah Phelps<br />
Jh<sup>o</sup>. Granthan<br />
John Bond<br />
James Daveion<br />
James Laurence<br />
James Law<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Halladay<br />
Stephen Harlin<br />
Jessie Harlan<br />
Benj<sup>a</sup>. [Boydston?]<br />
Ralph Potter<br />
Baid Cross<br />
Hezekiah Stephens<br />
Nath<sup>l</sup>. Mulliner<br />
Edw<sup>d</sup>. Frojatt?<br />
Evan Rogers<br />
Rich<sup>d</sup>. Ridgeway<br />
Joseph Smith<br />
John Cowgill<br />
Isaac[?] Smith <br />
John Ellis<br />
Samuel Pleasants<ref>Samuel Pleasants (d. 1814), printer, bookseller, and editor of the ''Virginia Argus'' newspaper in Richmond.</ref><br />
<br />
<br />
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 0 1px 0 0; padding-left: 5px;" |
Edward Tiffin<br />
James Lee<br />
Henry Smith<br />
Geo. Reed<br />
[Obscured] Frum<br />
Peter McMahon<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Ambrose<br />
Michel Gray<br />
J[? n<sup>o</sup>]. Bailey<br />
Joshua Hodges<br />
John Welsh Jr.<br />
Lindsey Marshall<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Lemon<br />
John Murphy<br />
George Manual<br />
James Hood<br />
Jonathon Wright<br />
Edward Beeson<br />
Natha<sup>l</sup>. White Jr.<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Supton<br />
David [Faulhaus?]<br />
John Witt<br />
[[wikipedia:James Wood (governor)|James Wood]]<br />
<br />
<br />
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 0 1px 0 0; padding-left: 5px;" |
Thornton Fleming<br />
[[wikipedia:Robert Carter III|Robert Carter]]<br />
Robert Lowe<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Taylor<br />
Abner Golet<br />
Aaron Dolby<br />
Nicholas Stovin<br />
Fred<sup>k</sup>. Duckwell<br />
John Butter<br />
John Hite<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. J. Welsh<br />
Michael Porter<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Curry<br />
Solomon Chaffis<br />
Joseph Gee<br />
Jonas Hodges Ju<sup>r</sup>.<br />
Ja<sup>s</sup>. Mendenhall<br />
Abraham Branson<br />
Joseph Bond<br />
Isaac Brown<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>.[Lupton?]<br />
Robert Pleasants<br />
<br />
<br />
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; border-width: 0 1px 0 0; padding-left: 5px;" |
John Steed<br />
William Hite<br />
Geo. Bruce<br />
[Meneios?] Ellis<br />
Jos. P. Clutter<br />
Jos. Fletcher<br />
John Fennis<br />
Charles Robinson<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. Mereir<br />
Joseph Hedges<br />
Joseph Fohman<br />
Rich<sup>d</sup>. Swift<br />
John Franklin<br />
Jacob Fletcher<br />
Solomon Chalsen<br />
Abel Walker<br />
Nath<sup>l</sup>. White Sr.<br />
David Ross<br />
Nathan Haines<br />
Stephen McBride<br />
John M<sup>c</sup>. [Harrison?]<br />
James Lownes<br />
<br />
<br />
| style="width: 16%; vertical-align: top; padding-left: 5px;" |
Anthony Hall<br />
Joseph Hite<br />
James Wall<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. Smith<br />
James Crumbley<br />
John Knott<br />
Joseph Duckwell<br />
John Barlaw<br />
John Dougherty<br />
John Vinsanheller<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Boydston<br />
Joseph Stone<br />
Jo. Franklin<br />
Tho<sup>s</sup>. Perkin<br />
Christian Bloom<br />
John Antrein<br />
W<sup>m</sup>. M<sup>c</sup>. Phirson<br />
Dan<sup>l</sup>. Brown<br />
Sam<sup>l</sup>. Finish<br />
Lewis Walker<br />
Joseph [Seer?] Ju<sup>r</sup>
|}

==See also==
*[[Between Pleasants and Logan]]
*[[George Wythe and Slavery]]
*''[[Pleasants v. Pleasants]]''

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://digitool1.lva.lib.va.us:8881/R/VM6HSY15U7XYTNK42HBCJ3NHUS3QDRQ2LSGFXX38NDCIUVERFR-04461?func=results-jump-full&set_entry=000002&set_number=192732&base=GEN01-ARC01 Legislative Petitions Digital Collection,] Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. Please note the [http://digitool1.lva.lib.va.us:1801/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=978850&custom_att_2=direct correct document link.]
*[https://library.uncg.edu/slavery/petitions/details.aspx?pid=2244 Race and Slavery Petitions Project,] University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

[[Category: Letters and Papers]]
[[Category: Slavery]]