CHAPTER XXVI.

MILITARY EMPLOYMENT OF NEGROES.

1775-1780.

The Colonial States in 1715.--Ratification of the Non-Importation Act by the Southern Colonies.--George Washington presents Resolutions against Slavery, in a Meeting at Fairfax Court-House, Va.--Letter written by Benjamin Franklin to Dean Woodward, pertaining to Slavery.--Letter to the Freemen of Virginia from a Committee, concerning the Slaves brought from Jamaica.--Severe Treatment of Slaves in the Colonies modified.--Advertisement in "The Boston Gazette" of the Runaway Slave Crispus Attucks.--The Boston Massacre.--Its Results.--Crispus Attucks shows his Loyalty.--His Spirited Letter to the Tory Governor of the Province.--Slaves admitted into the Army.--The Condition of the Continental Army.--Spirited Debate in the Continental Congress, over the Draught of a Letter to Gen. Washington.--Instructions to discharge all Slaves and Free Negroes in his Army.--Minutes of the Meeting held at Cambridge.--Lord Dunmore's Proclamation.--Prejudice in the Southern Colonies.--Negroes in Virginia flock to the British Army.--Caution to the Negroes printed in a Williamsburg Paper.--The Virginia Convention answers the Proclamation of Lord Dunmore.--Gen. Greene, in a Letter to Gen. Washington, calls Attention to the raising of a Negro Regiment on Staten Island.--Letter from a Hessian Officer.--Connecticut Legislature on the Subject of Employment of Negroes as Soldiers.--Gen. Varnum's Letter to Gen. Washington, suggesting the Employment of Negroes, sent to Gov. Cooke.--The Governor refers Varnum's Letter to the General Assembly.--Minority Protest against enlisting Slaves to serve in the Army.--Massachusetts tries to secure Legal Enlistments of Negro Troops.--Letter of Thomas Kench to the Council and House of Representatives, Boston, Mass.--Negroes serve in White Organizations until the Close of the American Revolution.--Negro Soldiers serve in Virginia.--Maryland employs Negroes.--New York passes an Act providing for the Raising of two Colored Regiments.--War in the Middle and Southern Colonies.--Hamilton's Letter to John Jay.--Col. Laurens's Efforts to raise Negro Troops in South Carolina.--Proclamation of Sir Henry Clinton inducing Negroes to desert the Rebel Army.--Lord Cornwallis issues a Proclamation offering Protection to all Negroes seeking his Command,--Col. Laurens is called to France on Important Business.--His Plan for securing Black Levies for the South upon his Return.--His Letters to Gen. Washington in Regard to his Fruitless Plans.--Capt David Humphreys recruits a Company of Colored Infantry in Connecticut.--Return of Negroes in the Army in 1778. 324