No one gave heed.  Two months later, Nov. 14, there appeared in “The Independent Chronicle” of Boston a plan for gradual emancipation; and on the 28th of the same month, in the same paper there appeared a communication demanding specific and immediate legislation against slavery.  But all seemed vain:  there were few moral giants among the friends of “liberty for all;” and the comparative silence of the press and pulpit gave the advocates of human slavery an easy victory.

Boston, the home of Warren, and the city that witnessed the first holy offering to liberty, busied herself through all the perilous years of the war in buying and selling human beings.  The following are but a few of the many advertisements that appeared in the papers of the city of Boston during the war:—­[622]

From “The Independent Chronicle,” Oct. 3, 1776:—­

     “To be SOLD A stout, hearty, likely NEGRO GIRL, fit for
     either Town or Country.  Inquire of Mr. Andrew Gillespie,
     Dorchester, Octo., 1., 1776.”

From the same, Oct. 10:—­

     “A hearty NEGRO MAN, with a small sum of Money to be given
     away.”

From the same, Nov. 28:—­

     “To SELL—­A Hearty likely NEGRO WENCH about 12 or 13 Years
     of Age, has had the Small Pox, can wash, iron, card, and
     spin, etc., for no other Fault but for want of Employ.”

From the same, Feb. 27, 1777:—­

     “WANTED a NEGRO GIRL between 12 and 20 Years of Age, for
     which a good Price will be given, if she can be
     recommended.”

From “The Continental Journal,” April 3, 1777:—­

     “To be SOLD, a likely Negro Man, twenty-two years old, has
     had the small-pox, can do any sort of business; sold for
     want of employment.”

To be SOLD, a large, commodious Dwelling House, Barn, and Out-houses, with any quantity of land from 1 to 50 acres, as the Purchaser shall choose within 5 miles of Boston.  Also a smart well-tempered NEGRO BOY of 14 years old, not to go out of this State and sold for 15 years only, if he continues to behave well.”

From “The Independent Chronicle,” May 8, 1777:—­

     “To be SOLD, for want of employ, a likely strong NEGRO
     GIRL, about 18 years old, understands all sorts of household
     business, and can be well recommended.”

The strange and trying vicissitudes through which the colonies had passed exposed their hypocrisy, revealed the weakness of their government, and forced them to another attempt at the extirpation of slavery.  The valorous conduct of the Negro soldiers in the army had greatly encouraged their friends and emboldened their brethren, who still suffered from the curse of slavery.  The latter were not silent when an opportunity presented to claim the rights they felt their due.  On the 18th of March, 1777, the following petition was addressed, by the slaves in Boston, to the Legislature:—­