Slavery and Emancipation: Federal Document Sources from Boston, New York, and Philadelphia
The Slave Trade
Contents
- Our Records
- The Slave Trade
- Fugitive Slaves
- The Courts
- Freedmen and Civil Rights
At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, delegates fiercely debated the issue of slavery, but ultimately agreed that United States would cease its engagement in the transatlantic slave trade in 1808. While American vessels, as of this date, no longer traveled to Africa in search of human merchandise, a domestic or "coastwise" trade in slaves persisted between ports within the United States, as demonstrated by Slave Manifests and court records.
The Amistad Africans
Examine the trial answers of S. Staples, R. Baldwin, and T. Sedgewick, Proctors for the Amistad Africans, to the several libels of Lt. Gedney, et. al. and Pedro Montes and Jose Ruiz, January 7, 1840.
The answers conveyed the position of the Africans and exposed the evils of slavery.
Documents from the Northeast Region ~ Boston
The Schooner Patuxent
The Schooner Patuxent left the Port of New York for the Coast of Africa. While off Cape Mount, she was seized by the U.S.S. Yorktown. The Yorktown was part of the "African Squadron" commissioned to help curtail the slave trade. The crew of the Patuxent was arrested for participating in the illegal slave trade. The ship was found with ample supplies used in promoting the slave trade. With only circumstantial evidence, however, the captain and crew were found not guilty.
Read the order for Captain David of the Patuxent to appear in court.
Examine the deposition by William Chandler of the U.S.S. Yorktown stating that he believed the ship was rigged and carried extra supplies used to transport slaves.
Read the Act of Congress dated March 2, 1819 on Regulating Passenger Ships and Vessels.
Documents from the Northeast Region ~ New York City
The Ship Ohio
Examine the Slave Manifest of the Ship Ohio, May 3, 1821, including the sworn statement of the ship captain that he was not engaged in the transatlantic slave trade. This manifest shows two enslaved females - Betsey and Harriet - being transported from New Orleans to Philadelphia in 1821. A manifest is a list of passengers or cargo aboard a ship.
Documents from the MidAtlantic Region ~ Philadelphia
Related Resources
View our online lesson plan for the Amistad Case.Learn about other records related to the slave trade in ARC (Archival Research Catalog).
Questions for Discussion
- Slavery was an aspect of southern life, yet northern cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia were involved in the slave trade - Why?
- Looking at the Amistad records, list what they tell you about a slave's life.
- In the Patuxent case, explore why the U.S. Navy and their special "African Squadron" had become involved in curtailing the international slave trade. Discuss why this was important.
- In the slave manifest from NARA's Mid-Atlantic Region, two enslaved women were transported from New Orleans to Philadelphia. What circumstances may have caused their relocation?
- How were the transatlantic slave trade and the domestic or "coastwise" slave trade (mentioned in conjunction with the Slave Manifest of the ship Ohio) different?
For more information about records available in these locations:
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