| On Liberty and Slavery |
| Alas! And am I born for this, |
| To wear this slavish chain? |
| Deprived of all created bliss, |
| Through hardship, toil and pain. |
| How long have I in bondage lain, |
| And languished to be free! |
| Alas! And must I still complain- |
| Deprived of liberty. |
The verses above were composed and written by the boys who have signed them; George E. Allen was required to produce something on Slavery, either in prose or verse in half and hour. Thomas S. Sidney occupied one hour on freedom. -New York African Free School, c. 1828