War; from the death of Pitcairn to the surrender of Cornwallis; on many fields of strife and triumph, of splendid valor and republican glory; from the hazy dawn of unequal and uncertain conflict, to the bright morn of profound peace; through and out of the fires of a great war that gave birth to a new, a grand republic,—­the Negro soldier fought his way to undimmed glory, and made for himself a magnificent record in the annals of American history.  Those annals have long since been committed to the jealous care of the loyal citizens of the Republic black men fought so heroically to snatch from the iron clutches of Britain.

FOOTNOTES: 

[578] Bancroft, vol. vii., 6th ed., p. 421.

[579] An Historical Research, p. 93.

[580] History of Leicester, p. 267.

[581] Orations and Speeches of Everett, vol. iii. p. 529.

[582] MS. Archives of Massachusetts, vol. clxxx, p. 241.

[583] Memoir of Samuel Lawrence, by Rev. S.K.  Lothrop, D.D., pp. 8, 9.

[584] Frank Moore’s Diary of the American Revolution, vol. i. p. 468.

[585] Thatcher’s Military Journal, p. 87.

[586] Arnold’s History of Rhode Island, vol. ii. pp. 427, 428.

[587] Chastellux’ Travels, vol. i. p. 454; London, 1789.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

LEGAL STATUS OF THE NEGRO DURING THE REVOLUTION.

1775-1783.

     THE NEGRO WAS CHATTEL OR REAL PROPERTY.—­HIS LEGAL STATUS
     DURING HIS NEW RELATION AS A SOLDIER.—­RESOLUTION INTRODUCED
     IN THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO PREVENT THE
     SELLING OF TWO NEGROES CAPTURED UPON THE HIGH SEAS.—­THE
     CONTINENTAL CONGRESS APPOINTS A COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER WHAT
     SHOULD BE DONE WITH NEGROES TAKEN IN VESSELS OF WAR IN THE
     SERVICE OF THE UNITED COLONIES.—­CONFEDERATION OF THE NEW
     STATES.—­SPIRITED DEBATE IN CONGRESS RESPECTING THE DISPOSAL
     OF RECAPTURES.—­THE SPANISH SHIP “VICTORIA” CAPTURES AN
     ENGLISH VESSEL HAVING ON BOARD THIRTY FOUR NEGROES TAKEN
     FROM SOUTH CAROLINA—­THE NEGROES RECAPTURED BY VESSELS
     BELONGING TO THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.—­THEY ARE DELIVERED
     TO THOMAS KNOX, AND CONVEYED TO CASTLE ISLAND.—­COL.  PAUL
     REVERE HAS CHARGE OF THE SLAVES ON CASTLE
     ISLAND.—­MASSACHUSETTS PASSES A LAW PROVIDING FOR THE
     SECURITY, SUPPORT, AND EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS BROUGHT INTO
     THE STATE.—­GEN.  HANCOCK RECEIVES A LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR
     OF SOUTH CAROLINA RESPECTING THE DETENTION OF NEGROES.—­IN
     THE PROVINCIAL ARTICLES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
     AND HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY, NEGROES WERE RATED AS
     PROPERTY.—­AND ALSO IN THE DEFINITE TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN
     THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY.—­AND
     ALSO IN THE TREATY OF