Sons of Providence: The Brown Brothers, the Slave Trade, and the American Revolution

Moses and John Brown were brothers and partners in one of the most successful trading companies in pre-revolutionary America. After their first investment in the "triangle slave trade" (slaves from Africa to the Carribean, sugar and molasses from the Carribean to New England, distilled spirits from New England to Africa), the partnership broke apart. Eventually, Moses converted and became a Quaker, and one of the leading pre-revolutionary abolitionists; while John became one of the leading spokesmen defending the New England based slave trade. Using this family split, Rappleye tells the story of the American Revolution through the lens of the slave trade. This was NOT a north-south issue, as most history books portray it. Rather, it was a split with slave traders of New England (who held political power in many of the northern colonies), who wanted unlimited right to trade in anything they wanted. Joining the northern traders were the landed gentry of the deep southern states who needed more slaves. The mid-Atlantic states had few traders, and the landed interests wanted the higher prices for their existing slaves, needed no more slaves, and thus had an economic interest in barring the import of additional slaves. Finally, there were the abolitionist--mostly religious--who wanted to abolish slavery altogether. In Rhode Island and many other states, the pro-slavery forces initially won out (Moses was completely marginalized politically on the slavery issue for most of the period leading up to the revolution, and for several years after), and bills to bar the slave trade were first resoundingly defeated, and then once passed, not enforced. As the economic base (and I suspect the voting franchise--an issue Rappleye doesn't discuss) expanded, the traders lost ground, and abolition became the trend in the northern states, eventually leading to the abolition (at least on paper) of the slave trade nationally. Rappleye has given us a fascinating perspective on the American Revolution--a perspective not usually covered. Highly recommended.

This is the best kind of popular history book. The author has used the tensions within the rising Brown family to highlight the tensions within the rising colonies. Rhode Island is the perfect panorama for a story like this, the home of individual rights and abolition in America, yet built on the proceeds of slavery, rum and piracy.

The tiny State of Rhode Island certainly played a significant role during the American Revolution. Few recall that when Roger Williams established Rhode Island in 1644 it was for all practical purposes the first practicing democratic state since the fall of Athens. Rhode Islanders were an exceptionally independent lot. The burning of the two masted British schooner "Gaspee" in June of 1772 by a group of leading citizens of the colony essentially struck the first blow in the nations quest for independence. In "Sons of Providence" author Charles Rappleye recalls the historic events that were unfolding in Rhode Island in those years and focuses on two brothers, John and Moses Brown, who would find themselves on opposite sides of so many of the important questions of their day. It is a compelling story. Until recently I never realized how important the issue of the slave trade was as the nations march toward independence proceeded. It seems slavery was a highly emotional issue even in the 1770's and 1780's. John and Moses Brown along with brothers James and Nicholas were members of one of the most prominent families in colonial Providence. The Brown family was involved in all manner of commerce and in 1765 they made the decision to enter the slave trade. And so it was that they outfitted a ship they christened "Sally" to make the voyage. In "Sons of Providence" you will discover why the slave trade was such a controversial and dirty business. If you have never read about the conditions that existed on these ships then you are sure to be horrified. It turns out that roughly half the slaves that were picked up on the West Coast of Africa died during the return voyage. In any event, in the years following the "Sally" debacle John Brown and his brother Moses would pursue entirely different paths. John was first and foremost a businessman and lobbied for laws and policies favorable to the merchant class. For the rest of his life John Brown would continue to oppose any measures that would outlaw slavery and restict commerce in any way. Moses Brown on the other hand would renounce his Baptist heritage (his great grandfather Chad Brown was the first pastor of the First Baptist Church in America)and become a Quaker. Quakers were among the earliest and most vocal opponents of slavery and the simple Quaker lifestyle held much appeal for Moses Brown. Moses Brown would divest himself of much of his fortune and become one of the leading abolitionists of his day. Although John and Moses Brown would continue to collaborate on a number of projects over the next quarter century they would nonetheless find themselves on opposite sides of any number of important issues. In his extraordinary book "John Adams" author David McCullough gets much of his source material from the voluminous letters between John and Abigail Adams. Likewise, much of the material for "Sons of Providence" appears to be culled from letters between John and Moses Brown. As su

uncovers what the history books have been trying to hide. america almost ended slavery at the very begining

the north caused and profitted from slavery more than history books tell. this fabulous story shows two brothers who embodied the american quest for liberty while confronting the great question that still haunts our country today. incredible circumstances find the battle between abolition and slavery contained in one family, and details how the north defended slavery during the birth of our nation.