[360] It may sound strangely in the ears of some friends and admirers of the gifted John Adams to hear now, after the lapse of many years, what he had to say of the position Otis took.  His mild views on slavery were as deserving of scrutiny as those of the elder Quincy.  Mr. Adams says:  “Nor were the poor negroes forgotten.  Not a Quaker in Philadelphia, or Mr. Jefferson, of Virginia, ever asserted the rights of negroes in stronger terms.  Young as I was, and ignorant as I was, I shuddered at the doctrine he taught; and I have all my lifetime shuddered, and still shudder, at the consequences that may be drawn from such premises.  Shall we say, that the rights of masters and servants clash, and can be decided only by force?  I adore the idea of gradual abolitions!  But who shall decide how fast or how slowly these abolitions shall be made?”

[361] Hildreth, vol. ii. pp. 564, 565.

[362] Coffin says, “In October of 1773, an action was brought against Richard Greenleaf, of Newburyport, by Caesar [Hendrick], a colored man, whom he claimed as his slave, for holding him in bondage.  He laid the damages at fifty pounds.  The council for the plaintiff, in whose favor the jury brought in their verdict and awarded him eighteen pounds’ damages and costs, was John Lowell, Esq., afterward Judge Lowell.  This case excited much interest, as it was the first, if not the only one of the kind, that ever occurred in the county.”

[363] Hildreth, vol. ii, pp. 550, 551.

[364] Drake, p. 729, note.

[365] I use the English spelling,—­Sommersett.

[366] Hildreth, vol. ii. p. 567.

[367] Bancroft, 12th ed. vol. iii. p. 412.

[368] Ancient Charters and Laws of Mass., pp. 745, 746.

[369] The following is from Felt’s Salem, vol. ii. pp. 415, 416, and illustrates the manner in which the law was complied with:  “1713.  Ann, relict of Governor Bradstreet, frees Hannah, a negro servant. 1717, Dec. 21.  William and Samuel Upton, of this town, liberate Thomas, who has faithfully served their father, John Upton, of Reading.  They give security to the treasurer, that they will meet all charges, which may accrue against the said black man. 1721, May 27.  Elizur Keyser does the same for his servant, Cato, after four years more, and then the latter was to receive two suits of clothes.... 1758, June 5.  The heirs of John Turner, having freed two servants, Titus and Rebeckah, give bonds to the selectmen, that they shall be no public charge.”

[370] John Adams’s Works, vol. i. p. 51.

[371] Adams’s Works, vol. i. p. 55.

[372] Drake, p. 525.

[373] The late Senator Sumner, in a speech delivered on the 28th of June, 1854, refers to this as “the earliest testimony from any official body against negro slavery.”  Even the weight of the senator’s assertion cannot resist the facts of history.  The “resolve” instructing the “representatives” was never carried; but, on the contrary, the next Act was the law of 1703 restricting manumission!