Page:The Slave Struggle in America.djvu/15

 THE

the first Continental Congress, held in 1774, the United Colonies pledged themselves that they would "neither import nor purchase any slave," and "would wholly discontinue the slave trade." The articles of association containing these pledges were adopted by the different colonies, and formed the basis of the American Constitution. North Carolina and Virginia warmly adopted the pledge; and Georgia, describing slavery as an unnatural practice, promised to use its "utmost endeavors for the manumission" of its slaves. Two years later it was decided, without opposition, in Congress, that "no slave be imported into any one of the thirteen colonies." But commercial interest was, notwithstanding, very strong, especially in the Southern States. In Jefferson's draft for the Declaration of Independence he arraigned George III. for forcing upon the American colonies that "execrable commerce." This clause was struck out by Congress, "in complaisance," Mr. Jefferson declared, "to South Carolina and Georgia." "Our Northern brethren," he added, "I believe felt a little tender under these censures. Although their people had very few slaves themselves, yet they had been pretty considerable carriers of them to others." In framing the Articles of Confederation, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina urged that their slaves were property, and if that were debated there was an end to confederation. The States were, therefore, left free to import whatever they liked, thus vetoing the decisions of the earlier congresses. Thus early did the Slave States make their influence felt by their threats of "no Union." The confederation secured to the citizens of all the States the right of inter-citizenship. This, however, did not suit the representatives of Georgia and South Carolina, who desired that this privilege should be confined to white persons; but eight of the thirteen