H-Net Discussion Networks - Re: Dunmore to Hillsborough May 1, 1772 [J Kukla]

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From: John Saillant <oieahc@YAHOO.COM>
List Editor: John Saillant <oieahc@YAHOO.COM>
Editor's Subject: Re: Dunmore to Hillsborough May 1, 1772 [J Kukla]
Author's Subject: Re: Dunmore to Hillsborough May 1, 1772 [J Kukla]
Date Written: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 08:28:47 -0500
Date Posted: Sun, 30 Nov 2013 08:28:47 -0500

That struck me as a curious statement, too.  The best actual numbers
suggest the 40% range as David indicates - and by 1772 if I recall
correctly Phil Morgan and Mick Nichols found that the percentage of slaves
in Piedmont counties was approximately equal to tidewater. By date of
letter Dunmore had (only?) been in Virginia for 7 months -- arrived Sept
26, 1771 -- is it possible that his statement reflected a mistaken visual
impression ?

Jon Kukla
________________
www.JonKukla.com <http://www.jonkukla.com/>

On Wed, Nov 27, 2013 at 12:41 PM, John Saillant <oieahc@yahoo.com> wrote:

 > > Jon, Thank you for the transcription.
 > >
 > > But I am struck by Dunmore's assertion that the "the Negroes are
double
 > > the number of white people in this Colony." Most of my sources
place the
 > > percentage of enslaved people around 40%. Does anyone have an idea
where
 > > the governor might have arrived at this figure?
 > >
 > > David Kiracofe
 > >
 > >

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