Should slavery be abolished in New York?

OCR: 3 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (1777-04-29): John Jay expressed that he would have supported a clause against the continuation of domestic slavery. This shows he believed slavery should be abolished or at least restricted in New York. "I should also have been for a clause against the continuation of domestic slavery" [1]
• ACTION (editor's note) (about 1777, editor's note; editor's note, not his words): John Jay was absent from the Legislature during the last days of the debate on a proposed clause for abolishing domestic slavery. During his term as governor, slavery was finally abolished in New York. "Jay ... was absent from the Legislature during the last days of the debate ... It was during Jay's term as governor, however, that slavery was finally abolished in New York." [2]
• BELIEF (1780-09-17): John Jay believed that slavery should be abolished in New York, arguing that an excellent law for gradual abolition could be modeled after Pennsylvania's and that America's prayers for liberty would be impious unless it acted. He stated he would prepare and persist in moving such a bill if he were in the legislature. (key quote above) [3]
• ACTION (editor's note) (about 1786, editor's note; editor's note, not his words): John Jay followed a theory of gradual or considerate emancipation in practice, as shown by the case of the negro boy he purchased in the West Indies in 1779 and released in 1787. He also wrote on Oct. 1, 1798, that he purchased slaves and manumitted them at proper ages, and when their faithful services shall have afforded a reasonable return. "he believed in gradual or considerate emancipation, and followed out his theory in practice, as in the case of the negro boy he purchased in the West Indies in 1779 and released in 1787." [4]
• BELIEF (1786-03-15): John Jay believed that slavery should be abolished in New York. He argued that the honor of the States, as well as justice and humanity, called upon them to emancipate enslaved people, and he expressed a wish that slavery may be abolished. "It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished. The honour of the States, as well as justice and humanity, in my opinion, loudly call upon them to emancipate these unhappy people." [5]
• BELIEF (1788-05-18): John Jay expressed a wish that similar measures for the restraint and abolition of slavery be passed in all the States, indicating his belief in the need for such measures. [6]
• BELIEF (1792-02-27): John Jay believed that every man, regardless of color, has a natural right to freedom and that slavery should be abolished gradually, considering justice to slaves, their masters, and the state of society. "In my opinion, every man of every color and description has a natural right to freedom, and I shall ever acknowledge myself to be an advocate for the manumission of slaves in such way as may be consistent with the justice due to them, with the justice due to their master, and with the regard due to the actual state of society. These considerations unite in convincing me that the abolition of slavery must necessarily be gradual." [7]
• BELIEF (undated): John Jay believed that it was inconsistent with the United States' declarations on human rights to permit slavery within their jurisdiction, and he acknowledged the justice of the English Anti-Slavery Society's criticism on that head. "It undoubtedly is very inconsistent with their declarations on the subject of human rights to permit a single slave to be found within their jurisdiction, and we confess the justice of your strictures on that head." [8]
• BELIEF (undated): John Jay believed that the abolition of slavery in New York would not happen suddenly or totally, due to the prevalence of slave-owning legislators and their ingrained opinions and prejudices. He also expressed hope that gradual progress toward abolition could be achieved through the natural operations of truth, if assisted but not forced. (key quote above) [9]
• ACTION (1795-08-20): John Jay introduced a bill for the gradual abolition of slavery, but it was defeated during the session. The passage shows that he took action to address the issue of slavery in New York, though the bill did not pass due to concerns about compensation for property loss. (key quote above) [10]

What cuts against it

• ACTION (undated): A bill for the gradual abolition of slavery was brought into the Senate in January 1797, but its consideration was postponed by a hostile majority until the session expired without a vote being taken. [11]

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. John Jay believed that slavery should be abolished in New York, arguing that it was inconsistent with the principles of liberty and justice. [3] [5] [8] [7]

2. He expressed a preference for gradual abolition, citing the need to balance justice to enslaved people, their masters, and the state of society. [7] [9]

3. He took action to advance abolition, including introducing a bill for the gradual abolition of slavery during his time as governor. [12] [10]

4. The bill he introduced was defeated due to concerns about property rights and compensation, showing the political challenges he faced. [10]

5. Despite these challenges, he continued to advocate for abolition and expressed hope that gradual progress could be achieved. [9] [7]

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

The record shows John Jay directly addressed the question of whether slavery should be abolished in New York. He consistently argued for abolition, though he believed it should be gradual and considerate of societal and legal realities.

Extrapolation: John Jay believed slavery should be abolished in New York, but he supported a gradual approach to ensure justice to all parties involved.

Competing readings: The record supports the reading that he believed in gradual abolition, but the defeat of his bill and his absence during key legislative debates suggest political and practical challenges.

Confidence: High, based on multiple direct statements and actions.