Chester Joie

Chester Joie was a slave living in Boston. Chester Joie was a Neutralist. He had placed an ad in a Boston newspaper asking permission for freedom. His ad said colonists that they are taking a noble stand (honorable position) against those trying to enslave them. Chester Joie said that he understood their feelings and that their desire to fight for political and religious freedom. He then asked for the privilege of earning money to buy his own freedom and return to his homeland in Africa. “We ask you for relief, which as a man, we have a right to do,” he writes. He stresses that he wished to gain his freedom by peaceful and lawful means. Background information: Four slaves submitted this letter to the provincial legislature in Massachusetts on April 20, 1773. One of the four people included Chester Joie.

Below is the petition Chester Joie signed along with his three other fellow mates: (This is the original piece of the petition Chester Joie signed). Sir, The efforts made by the legislative of this province in their last sessions to free themselves from slavery, gave us, who are in that deplorable state, a high degree of satisfaction. We expect great things from men who have made such a noble stand against the designs of their fellow-men to enslave them. . . We do not pretend to dictate to you Sir, or to the honorable Assembly, of which you are a member: We acknowledge our obligations to you for what you have already done, but as the people of this province seem to be actuated by the principles of equity and justice, we cannot but expect your house will again take our deplorable case into serious consideration, and give us that ample relief which, as men, we have a natural right to.

But since the wise and righteous governor of the universe, has permitted our fellow men to make us slaves, we bow in submission to him, and determine to behave in such a manner, as that we may have reason to expect the divine approbation of, and assistance in, our peaceable and lawful attempts to gain our freedom.

We are willing to submit to such regulations and laws, as may be made relative to us, until we leave the province, which we determine to do as soon as we can from our joynt labours procare money to transport ourselves to some part of the coast of Africa, where we propose a settlement. We are very desirous that you should have instructions relative to us, from your town, therefore we pray you to communicate this letter to them, and ask this favor for us.

In behalf of our fellow slaves in this province, And by order of their Committee,

PETER BESTES,

SAMBO FREEMAN,

FELIX HOLBROOK,

CHESTER JOIE.

For the REPRESENTATIVE of the town of Thompson