I Have a Few Questions

[Rob Wick]

The United States Constitution forbid the importation of slaves in 1808.

Northern states timeline of either banning slavery or beginning the abolition process:

1777: Constitution of the Vermont Republic bans slavery.
1783: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules slavery illegal based on 1780 state constitution. All slaves are immediately freed.
1783: New Hampshire begins a gradual abolition of slavery.
1784: Connecticut begins a gradual aboliton of slavery, freeing future children of slaves, and later all slaves.
1784: Rhode Island begins a gradual abolition of slavery.
The United States in Congress Assembled passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 outlawing any new slavery in the Northwest Territories.
1799: New York State passes gradual emancipation act freeing future children of slaves, and all slaves in 1827.
1804: New Jersey begins a gradual abolition of slavery, freeing future children of slaves. Those born prior to the Act remain enslaved for life.

Best
Rob