Forten, James, 1766-1842 Letters from a man of colour, on a late bill before the Senate of Pennsylvania.
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06046 Author/Creator: Forten, James, 1766-1842 Place Written: Pennsylvania Type: Pamphlet Date: circa 1813 Pagination: 11 p. ; 20.5 x 25 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Download PDF
An eloquent response to a bill in the Pennsylvania senate to stop the emigration of people of color into the state. Forten wrote anonymously, signing his letters "A Man of Colour." Five letters respond to the Pennsylvania bill, arguing that Pennsylvania has been a refuge for emancipated Black people have unalienable rights set forth in the Declaration of Independence, which are protected by the Constitution. Forten writes, "The dog is protected and pampered at the board of his master, while the poor African and his descendant, whether a Saint or a felon, is branded with infamy, registered as a slave, and we may expect shortly to find a law to prevent their increase, by taxing them according to numbers, and authorizing the Constables to seize and confine every one who dare to walk the streets without a collar on his neck! What have the people of colour been guilty of..."
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