Life Before The Constitution
Enslaved African American
I am 16 and I have been working in the fields since I was 6.I have just been traded to work in Virginia with my sister and have now left my older brother,father, and mother.11 years have passed since the Declaration of Independence and have still not been treated as equal.I work out in the fields when I get up which is at dusk and quit when it is dawn.I have heard stories about people who have escaped and have become free I hear that they become unsuccessful as a farmer and are thrown into jail because they cant pay their taxes.Although I am treated unequal I try to make the best of it and hope that one day I will become equal and am treated like everyone else.
Farmer
I am a struggling farmer out in Massachusetts and in debt.I am barely feeding my family and giving what I can to sell.My crops did not grow last year and had to borrow money from the bank to buy the sort new crops and farming materials.I have been very stressed out lately with what I owe to the bank.The state taxes have been higher than ever and I fear that I will soon be thrown in jail, since I have not payed my taxes and have been unable to pay back the bank.It is August 29, 1786 and I have decided to join Daniel Shay in his rebellion.
Banker/Merchant
In all of my carrier I have never seen anything like this! Many state legislatures have passed a law where if someone is in debt they can pay with things more than money if a farmer where to owe $100 they can also pay with 2 cows.There is entirely way to many bad things happening lately there is very little respect for property and way to much power in the states.I believe that if you are in debt than you should be thrown in jail!