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Thomas Paine Letter To A Slave Analysis

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I, Isabel Gardener, write this letter to you, gentlemen of the Continental Congress, urging you to grant me freedom. Acknowledging your valuable time, I have gone through documents and have recorded gruesome tragedies I have that are the cause of this horrible practice to help me prove my point. Slavery is unjust, as every person, including a slave, is entitled by God to have equality and freedom. As this country is seeking its freedom, there is no reason why a tormented slave cannot seek freedom as well. According to political documents and my experiences as a slave in New York, I deserve freedom.

Ultimately, me being owned as a slave contradicts with two major political documents. From the pamphlet Common Sense, I have read of how Thomas Paine acknowledges the immorality of a certain race to be “so exalted above the rest.” Essentially, it is cruel to allow slaves to be treated as useless property while white men are allowed to ride aimlessly on their horses. You must realize how hypocritical it is to let this continue because the very thing Paine wanted to eliminate, the controlling manner of kings to their subjects, still persists. Also, I have repeatedly heard from The Declaration of Independence that every man is entitled by their Creator the rights of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Hence, the controlling …show more content…

My slavery contradicts the ideas of equality and liberty, both of which are main goals of the war we are currently fighting against the British. Also, I am mistreated to a large extent because my master is able to be as abusive as she wants to her property. In order for me to attain security in this country, I must be treated fairly and equally. Please make the ethical decision to free me from my master. I am forever gracious for your time and I hope that you thoughtfully consider my points for the betterment of an innocent child’s life and

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