Richard Smith frees a slave, 1747
"... the Lord by his free Goodness hath given me a clear sight of the cruelty of making a slave of one that was by nature as free as my own children..."
"I hereby declare that now that my Negro garl Jane hath arived to eighteen years of age she shall go out free from bondage as free as if Shee had been free born, and that my Heirs, Executors or Administraters shall have no power over her or her postirity no more than if she had been free born."
"Now my Friends to tell you plainly, some years befor this my intent was to have bought Some Negro Slaves for to have Done my work to have Saved my hiring of help. But when I was about buying them I was forbiden by the same Power that now Causes me to set this Garl at Liberty, for the matter was Set befor me in a Clear manner more Clear than what mortal man Could have Done and theirfore I belive it is not write for me to Shrink or hide in a thing of So Great a Consarnment as to Give my Consent to do to others Contrary to what we our Selves would be willing to be don unto."