The Colonies of the Third Estate

When the states general met in may 17 89, the would be colonial delegates presented themselves uninvited. Since these colonial representatives were drawn from the ranks of the nobility, their solidarity during this crisis endeared them to the third estate delegates. When the colonists asked for 18 seats, which was about the right number based on their total population, mirabeau thundered: you claim representation proportionate to the number of inhabitants. The free blacks are proprietors and taxpayers, and yet they have not been allowed a vote. And as for the slaves, either they are men or they are not. If the colonists consider them to be men, let them, free them and make them electors and