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Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
In Nov. 1797, Judge Stephens charged the Wilkes County, Georgia Grand Jury to look to U.S. models for government reforms, shunning foreign atheistic influences. The jury presented the importation of enslaved people for sale as a major grievance and urged legislative prohibition.
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"In effecting changes of government, or amending the existing system, we have no need, but to consult, primarily, our own happiness, by having the vast advantages of calmly looking into the forms of constitutions, that our sister states live under, and with that, of the Union; there can be but little doubt, but every blessing may be expected, without the aid of foreign plans or influence, that carry with them intrigue, false and destructive philosophy, painting atheism in their schemes, and shaking the moral government of the world."
Extract from the Presentment of the above Grand Jury.
"We present as a grievance of the most alarming nature, the importation of negroes into this state, whether by land or sea, for the purpose of exposing them to sale, inasmuch as we conceive it to be greatly injurious to the welfare thereof, and highly repugnant to the principles of a free government, and do earnestly recommend it to the next legislature to prohibit the same."
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Wilkes County, Georgia
Event Date
Nov. 1797
Key Persons
Event Details
Extract from Judge Stephens' charge to the Grand Jury advising consultation of sister states' constitutions and the Union for government changes, avoiding foreign influences promoting atheism and destructive philosophy. Extract from the Grand Jury's presentment declaring the importation of negroes for sale a grievance injurious to the state's welfare and repugnant to free government principles, recommending prohibition by the next legislature.