Divide the class into groups of three and distribute the Petition for freedom to the Massachusetts Council and the House of Representatives, [13] January 1777 to each student. Explain that in 1777, while the American Revolution was being fought, Prince Hall and seven other Black men sent this formal petition to the Massachusetts government stating their case for freedom and the abolition of slavery.

Students should read the text individually to understand its main ideas, purpose, and point of view. Assign one student in each group to identify specific words or phrases in the text that reflect revolutionary language, one student to identify words or phrases that describe slavery and racial inequality, and one student to identify words or phrases that reference God, a higher power, or nature. Students should then share their findings with their group.

Next, have groups discuss the following questions and prepare responses to share with the rest of the class that also reference 1-2 specific examples from the text:

• Why do you think Prince Hall and the other petitioners chose to use words or phrases commonly used by British colonists to justify the American Revolution?
• Why do you think Prince Hall and the other petitioners chose the specific words or phrases they used to describe slavery and racial inequality?
• Considering slavery was legal in Massachusetts in 1777, why do you think Prince Hall and the other petitioners chose to use words or phrases that referenced God, a “higher law,” or “nature”?

Bring the class back together and review groups’ responses, ensuring students reference specific words or phrases from the text to support their analysis. Then lead a final class discussion focused on the meaning and significance of enslaved people using the legal system to resist slavery:

• Why would people who are treated as “property” by the law choose to use the legal system (i.e., writing a petition) to fight for their rights?
• In this era, White colonists often complained they were “slaves” to the British monarchy because of unfair taxes. How did Hall’s description of slavery and racial inequality challenge colonists’ comparison?
• Prince Hall and the other petitioners were trying to “change the system from the inside” by using the government’s own words and ideas. What is one advantage of this strategy? What is one reason it might not work?