CHAPTER XIV.

THE COLONY OF MASSACHUSETTS.

1633-1775.

The Earliest Mentions of Negroes in Massachusetts.--Pequod Indians exchanged for Negroes.--Voyage of the Slave Ship "Desire" in 1638--Fundamental Laws adopted.--Hereditary Slavery--Kidnapping Negroes--Growth of Slavery in the Seventeenth Century--Taxation of Slaves--Introduction of Indian Slaves prohibited.--The Position of the Church respecting the Baptism of Slaves--Slave Marriage--Condition of Free Negroes--Phillis Wheatley the African Poetess.--Her Life--Slavery recognized in England in Order to be maintained in the Colonies--The Emancipation of Slaves.--Legislation favoring the Importation of White Servants, but prohibiting the Clandestine bringing-in of Negroes.--Judge Sewall's Attack on Slavery.--Judge Saffin's Reply to Judge Sewall. 172