The whites want slaves. and want us for their slaves. but some of them will curse the day they ever saw us...they want us for their slaves. and think nothing of murdering us... therefore. if there is an attempt made by us. kill or be killed... and believe this. that it is no more harm for you to kill a man who is trying to kill you. than it is for you to take a drink of water when thirsty.
The passage above came from the Appeal. first published in 1829. and written by the free black: