The following are documents which have contributed to the shaping of African American history. These documents are a starting point for additional research and discussions that help further our understanding of the history of people of African ancestry in the United States.
Primary Documents: To regulate relations between slaves and colonists, the Louisiana Code noir, or slave code, based largely on that compiled in 1685 for the French Caribbean colonies, was introduced in 1724 and remained in force until the United States took possession of Louisiana in … Read More(1724) Louisiana’s Code Noir
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND THE DEBATE OVER SLAVERY When Thomas Jefferson included a passage attacking slavery in his draft of the Declaration of Independence it initiated the most intense debate among the delegates gathered at Philadelphia in the spring and early summer of 1776. … Read More(1776) The Deleted Passage of the Declaration of Independence
Benjamin Banneker’s Letter to Thomas Jefferson, August 19, 1791 SIR, I AM fully sensible of the greatness of that freedom, which I take with you on the present occasion; a liberty which seemed to me scarcely allowable, when I reflected on that distinguished and dignified … Read More(1791) Benjamin Banneker’s Letter to Thomas Jefferson
Chap. VII.—An Act respecting fugitives from justice, and persons escaping from the service of their masters. Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That whenever the executive authority of any state … Read More(1793) Fugitive Slave Act
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio , That from and after the first day of June next. no black or mulatto person shall be permitted to settle or reside in this state, unless he or she shall … Read More(1804) Ohio Black Codes
(1808) An Act to Prohibit the Importation of Slaves into any Port or Place Within the Jurisdiction of the United States, From and After the First Day of January, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eight Be it enacted by … Read More(1808) An Act to Prohibit the Importation of Slaves into any Port or Place Within the Jurisdiction of the United States
Mr. Chief Justice Marshall delivered the opinion of the Court: This bill is brought by the Cherokee nation, praying an injunction to restrain the state of Georgia from the execution of certain laws of that state, which, as is alleged, go directly to annihilate the … Read More(1831) Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
Mr. Chief Justice Marshall delivered the opinion of the Court. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia in general assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that, after the 1st day … Read More(1831) Worcester v. Georgia
Preamble: Whereas the subscribers, women of color of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, actuated by a natural feeling for the welfare of our friends, have thought fit to associate for the diffusion of knowledge, the suppression of vice and immorality, and for cherishing such virtues as … Read More(1832) Constitution of the Afric-American Female Intelligence Society of Boston
We the undersigned, females of color, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being duly convinced of the importance of union and morality, have associated ourselves together for our natural improvement, and to promote the welfare of our color, as far as is consistent with the means … Read More(1832) Constitution of the Female Anti Slavery Society of Salem