Quakers were pleased that, during the Revolutionary War, there was a near cessation of the importation of slaves. Under the Articles of Association, the American colonies agreed to stop the practice largely as a punitive measure protesting British trade policies. Throughout the 1770s and 80s, Quakers’ efforts to end the slave trade and slavery consisted mainly of moral suasion and petitioning. Their work met with some modest success as several states banned the importation of slaves and several abolished the practice altogether. But the rhetoric and logic of liberty was not fully extended to slaves. The importation of slaves resumed after the war, and ultimately the Constitutional Convention reached several compromises regarding slavery. Quakers were generally supportive of the Constitution but actively sought to correct deficiencies in the new plan of government in regards to slavery. For an extended discussion about the role of Quakers in the ratification debates and their opposition to several provisions in the Constitution, see Quaker Opposition to the Protection of Slavery in the Constitution.
The selections below highlight the convictions, frustrations, and approaches of Quakers as they sought to ban the slave trade and, ultimately, slavery.
Documents
- James Pemberton to John Pemberton Philadelphia, 20 September 1787
- Robert Waln to Richard Waln, Philadelphia, 3 October 1787
- Moses Brown to James Pemberton Providence, 17 October 1787
- Samuel Hopkins to Moses Brown Newport, 22 October 1787
- Timothy Meanwell Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, 29 October 1787
- Plain Truth to Timothy Meanwell Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, 30 October 1787
- Timothy Meanwell Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, 3 November 1787
- Plain Truth Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, 7 November 1787
- William Rotch, Sr. to Moses Brown Nantucket, 8 November 1787
- Moses Brown to James Thornton, Sr. Providence, 13 November 1787
- James Pemberton to Moses Brown Philadelphia, 16 November 1787
- Edmund Prior to Moses Brown New York, 1 December 1787
- James Thornton, Sr. to Moses Brown Byberry, Philadelphia County, 17 December 1787
- Samuel Hopkins to Levi Hart Newport, 29 January 1788
- Jeremy Belknap to Benjamin Rush Boston, 12 February 1788