nies on the American continent.
The blacks were becoming useful and skilled laborers, acquiring modern
languages, learning to read and write, entering a few of the professions,
exercising the rights of citizens, and climbing the social ladder to the
extent of moving on a plane of equality with the poor whites.

To emphasize various facts these advertisements have been grouped under
different headings, but each throws light on more than one phase of the
life of the eighteenth century slave. The compiler will be criticised here
for publishing in full many advertisements which contain repetitions of the
same phraseology. The plan is deemed wise in this case, however, because of
the additional value the complete document must have. The words to which
special attention is directed appear in his own capitals.

LEARNING A MODERN LANGUAGE

RAN away from Austin Paris of Philadelphia, Founder, on the 22do this
Instant, A Negro Boy called Bedford or Ducko, aged about Sixteen or
Seventeen Years; SPEAKS VERY GOOD ENGLISH wears a dark brown colored Coat
and Jacket, a Pair of white Fustian Breeches, a grey mill'd Cap with a red
Border, a Pair of new Yarn Stockings, with a Pair of brown worsted under
them, or in his Pockets. Whoever brings him to his said Master, or informs
him of him so that he may be secured, shall be satisfied for their Pains,
by me. Austin Paris.

_The American Weekly Mercury_ (Philadelphia), Jan. 31, 1721.

TO be Sold, Three Very likely Negro Girls being about 16 years of age, and
a Negro Boy about 14, SPEAKING GOOD ENGLISH, enquire of the Printer hereof.

_The American Weekly Mercury_ (Philadelphia), June 20, 1723.

RAN away from Joseph Coleman in the Great Valley in Chester County, a
Negro Man, named Tom, aged about 30 Years, of a middle Stature, HE SPEAKS
VERY GOOD ENGLISH, haveing on a white Shirt, Stockings and Shoes, a great
riding Coat tyed round him with blew Girdles. He was seen by several
Persons in New York, about the latter end of June last, who was well
acquainted with him and suspected his being a Run away but he told them his
former Master Capt. Palmer had sold him to a Person in the Great Valley,
who had given him his Freedom, then he pulled out a forged pass, which to
the best of his remembrance was signed by one William Hughes. Whosoever
takes up the said Negro and puts him into any Gaol, and gives notice
thereof to his said Master or to William Bradford in New York, or to