1773 - 1777
Liberty and Freedom for All?
Revolutionary talk was heard by enslaved Africans who used the same language to legally petition for their own freedom multiple times:
The Petition of a Great Number of Blacks of detained in a state of slavery in the Bowels of a free and Christian Country apprehend they have in common with all other men...
"...a natural right to be free..." June 1773
"...a natural right to our freedoms..." May 25 1774
"...a natural right to be free..." June 1774
"...a Natural and Unaliable Right to that freedom..." Jan 13, 1777
All failed.