1797-Jun.-24: Prince Hall, the founder of the African Lodge in Boston, delivered a charge to his fellow Masons that referenced the ongoing struggles for libe…

1797-Jun.-24: Prince Hall, the founder of the African Lodge in Boston, delivered a charge to his fellow Masons that referenced the ongoing struggles for liberty in the West Indies. He praised the “great events” taking place in the Caribbean as evidence of God’s favor toward the oppressed. Hall’s speech used the example of the Haitian Revolution to argue for the dignity and rights of black people in the United States. He encouraged his listeners to remain patient and informed, noting that the “spirit of freedom” was moving across the world. This address represented a significant early attempt to incorporate the Haitian Revolution into the intellectual framework of the African American community.