The Gradual Manumission Act of 1799
During the late 1700’s, New York’s population grew exponentially after the demobilization of the revolutionary army. As population of New York grew, so did its thirst for economical growth. Although most of the southern states were followers of Thomas Jefferson, carrying on the tradition of agricultural/manual labor, the northern states believed in Alexander Hamilton, striving financially. With their motivation came along the “Gradual Manumission Act” of 1799, freeing the children of slaves. Because the members of the Society, led by Alexander Hamilton, knew of the potential in the power of the market, they shunned away from slavery. By 1820, after the act was put into action, New York only had 518 slaves, as opposed to 2,369 in 1790 (Homberger 55). This marked the beginnings of emancipation of slaves, and New York as one of the first advocating states.
Of course, not all of New York’s population conformed to this new revolution. Some of city’s residents still actively practiced slavery and farming. When the “Gradual Manumission Act” came about, the naysayers of Hamilton’s beliefs were devastated – their productivity of crops would dramatically drop due to stricter regulations imposed on slavery.