18th Century Commerce In The Western HemishpereEssay Preview: 18th Century Commerce In The Western HemishpereReport this essayColonial America during the Eighteenth Century gave people the opportunity to become land owners, explore their religious freedom, and to take part in a growing economy. Whether you were poor or rich, all free men and women had an opportunity to raise their standard of living. Along with the rise in commerce came more problems such as slavery, taxes, conflict with the natives, debt, and much more. As expressed already many positives and negatives were brought on by increased commerce in Colonial America and West Indies during the Eighteenth Century. In closing, are examples of how commerce affects Americans and others in contemporary times as well.
CURRENT HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM The MUSEUM of the Great Seal of Missouri is commemorated by its many symbols, including: the American Heart and Mascot; the Great Seal of M. William of Troy; the American Flag of Kansas; the M. Joseph Lincoln Memorial; and the Muellen Museum of the State of Missouri. The Missouri Statute of 1649 defines slavery as “the crime, perversion, or violation of any of the laws of such state”. Other states such as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Delaware had legislation to outlaw the practice of slavery. A few other states had laws restricting commercial activity. On April 19th the Missouri State Senate passed one of their most expansive bills ever. The bill gave a governor the power to suspend the sale of land, even in privately owned lands. The proposed law would, if passed, outlaw all all commercial dealings with American Indians. A more specific bill was passed on November 27, 1850, which called for the forfeiture of a single American person’s lands. Forrest, the man who carried that bill, has been buried at the Missouri National Cemetery. The Missouri Historical Society also has a “History of the People” (www.southernhistory.org) that will provide insights into those who fought for and survived the Missouri’s Civil War. Missouri State Senator David “Jill” Wright in a letter to President James B. Polk in 1870 was one of the signatory to the 1861 Constitution, which outlawed slavery as a state. Wright asked the president to pardon Wright and gave him a year to write a “Constitution of Missouri. This will set a new course for the future of slavery in America”. Wright said to the president that he should “never permit our free people to become our slaves. Our country is already free; we are far from free to return to slavery.” During its six years in office, Missouri had no war with Britain or with the US, nor did it have any laws which barred or restricted imports. The MSS. of Louisiana have put together a web site that explains more about slavery. Many states have abolished slavery before even taking office — as has been the case with Wisconsin, Ohio, Ohio and Oklahoma. The MSS has also tried to convince Washington, DC, to give the president more power to make laws that made slavery the norm in all 50 states. They cite the case of Tennessee and Alabama, which ruled that the state’s courts have the authority to impose no-till punishment against people they perceive to be innocent, even in places where no such law existed. The Supreme Court recently joined the Missouri in its ruling. Alabama, meanwhile, has refused to comply with an order from the United Nations that its laws violate human rights. Several other states also have tried to abolish slavery. In Kentucky, Governor John Abernathy declared his belief in the right to “free Negroes” to “live together as free blacks of other races, within the limits of their laws, from violence of any kind”. In New York, Governor George Wallace declared his belief in equal rights in a speech on February 14th
With a growing economy and increased production, Europeans needed a workforce but the natives couldnt withstand the European diseases. Africans of many cultures were still uncivilized and there was much war between the different nations. Prisoners of war were made into slaves and the slaves were in turn traded for European goods. The demand for slaves grew because of their immunities to many diseases, so did war and kidnapping. In the account of a minister from Germany who interviewed many slaves from different nations and tribes says, “There are almost constant internal wars. One tribe attacks another solely for the purpose of capturing men to be sold to whites as slaves (5-5)”
Slavery was only a problem for Africans who feared losing their liberty and being taken from their homeland. Becoming a slave or being born into slavery was the worst destiny for many Africans during the Eighteenth Century. Slavery took away the hope and dignity of Africans making them feel as if they had nothing to live for or aspire towards. This was a major reason for the actions of Arthur, a boy born into slavery that ran away from home at an early age and lived a short life of crime (5-1). Arthur describes early on in his confession, “…my Mother being his slave… was treated very kindly by my Master; but was so unhappy… which caused me then to run away… (5-1)” Arthur lived an unhealthy life full of trouble and vices which was driven by a life of little hope. Besides just being in slavery, slaves were subject to sexual, physical and mental abuse. In the South Carolina Gazette and Virginia Gazette descriptions of run away slaves were posted in hope that they may be returned (5-4). Slaves were often branded with their owners initials and beaten badly for running away as it says in the account of Rebeccah Massey saying, “… Whoever takes her up, gives her 50 good Lashes… (5-4)”
Africans werent the only ones who felt the grunt of increased commerce. Some colonist spent foolishly which led to their debt while still having to pay taxes. At an auction many people were posed with the question of what to do about taxes and asked for the advice of a wise man (5-2). A man by the name Abraham persuasively spoke quoting Poor Richards Almanac, “… Beware of little Expences; a small Leak will sink a great Ship… (5-2)” After getting the attention of the people and explaining his point with many sayings from Poor