APUSH Exam Review: Practice DBQ #1

Document 1 Source: William Cushing, chief justice of the Massachusetts state supreme court, notes on the court case and decision in Quock Walker v. Nathaniel Jennison, 1783

"[The] justification [is made] that Quock is a Slave and to prove it tis said that Quock when a child [of] about 9 months old with his father and mother were sold by [a] bill of sale in 1754. . . . As to the doctrine of Slavery and the right of Christians to hold Africans in perpetual servitude, . . . a different idea has taken place with the people of America more favorable to the natural rights of Mankind, . . . with which Heaven (without regard to Colors, complexion, . . . [or] features) has inspired all the human Race. And upon this Ground our [state] Constitution of Government, . . . Sets out with declaring that all men are born free and equal and that Every subject is entitled to Liberty, and to have it guarded by the Laws. . . . This being the Case, I think the Idea of Slavery is inconsistent with our own conduct and [state] Constitution and there can be no such thing as perpetual servitude of a rational Creature."

Document 2 Source: Benjamin Banneker, free African American mathematician and land surveyor, letter to Thomas Jefferson, 1791

“[W]e are a race of Beings who have long laboured under the abuse and censure of the world. . . . Sir, Suffer me to recall to your mind that time in which the Arms and tyranny of the British Crown were exerted with every powerful effort in order to reduce you to a State of Servitude. . . . This Sir, was a time in which you clearly saw into the injustice of a State of Slavery, . . . it was [then] Sir, that your abhorrence (hatred) thereof was so excited, that you publickly held forth this true and invaluable doctrine. . . . “We hold these truths to be Self evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” . . . But Sir how pitiable is it to reflect, that although you were so fully convinced of the benevolence of the Father of mankind . . . that you should at the Same time counteract his mercies, in detaining by fraud and violence so numerous a part of my brethren under groaning captivity and cruel oppression.”

Document 3 Source: Mathew Carey, newspaper editor in Pennsylvania, Considerations on the Impropriety and Inexpediency of Renewing the Missouri Question, 1820

“[T]hat great and solemn question, which has already shaken the republic to its foundation, is again to be contested. The admission of Missouri into the family of states is to be again opposed. . . . The toleration of slavery . . . is to be held forth as the reason for prohibiting her entrance. . . . Whatever may be the opinions of individuals upon the abstract right of holding human beings in bondage, . . . I do conceive the calamities 1 that are likely to spring from the renewal of the discussion to be so much greater and more alarming. . . . Whether this great and admirable republic is to remain united and prosperous . . . or to be violently resolved into its original elements, and to become the theatre and prey of a fierce [internal] conflict, will . . . mainly depend on the final settlement of the Missouri Question.”

Document 4 Source: Richard Furman, leader of the Baptist Church in South Carolina, Exposition of the Views of the Baptists, Relative to the Coloured Population of the United States, 1823

“In some parts of our Union there are Citizens, who favour the idea of general emancipation; yet, were they to see slaves in our Country, in arms, wading through blood and carnage to effect their purpose, they would do what both their duty and interest would require; unite under the government with their fellow-citizens at large to suppress the rebellion. . . . On the lawfulness of holding slaves, considering it in a moral and religious view, the [Baptist] Convention think it their duty to exhibit their sentiments. . . . The sentiments in opposition to the holding of slaves have been attributed, by their advocates, to the Holy Scriptures. . . . These sentiments, the Convention . . . cannot think just, or well founded; for the right of holding slaves is clearly established in the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and example. . . . In the New Testament . . . the countries [that the Roman Empire] possessed and governed were full of slaves. Many of these with their masters, were converted to the Christian Faith. . . . In things purely spiritual, they appear to have enjoyed equal privileges; but their relationship, as masters and slaves, was not dissolved.”

Document 5 Source: William Lloyd Garrison, Massachusetts antislavery activist, newspaper article in the Genius of Universal Emancipation, 1829

“This ship [the Francis] . . . sailed a few weeks since from this port [of Baltimore, Maryland] with a cargo of slaves for the New-Orleans market. . . . I merely wish to illustrate New-England humanity and morality. I am resolved to cover with thick infamy1 all who were concerned in this nefarious 2 business. . . . The ship Francis hails from my native place, Newburyport, (Massachusetts) [and] is commanded by a yankee captain, and owned by a townsman named FRANCIS TODD. . . . I recollect that it was always a mystery in Newburyport how Mr. Todd contrived to make profitable voyages to New-Orleans and other places. . . . The mystery seems to be unraveled. Any man can gather up riches, if he does not care by what means they are obtained.”

Document 6 Source: Jarena Lee, African American preacher, Religious Experience and Journal of Mrs. Jarena Lee, 1836

“I left for New York and arrived the first day the convention [of the American Anti-Slavery Society] sat, which I attended in company with Mrs. [Mary] Lane, who was ever zealous in the good cause of liberty and the rights of all, and I heard some very eloquent speeches which pleased me very much, and my heart responded with this instruction: “Do unto all men as you would they should do unto you;” and as we are all children of one parent, no one is justified in holding slaves. I felt that the spirit of God was in the work, and also felt it my duty to unite with this Society. Doubtless the cause is good, and I pray to God to forward on the work of abolition until it fills the world”