New York Burning: Liberty, Slavery, and Conspiracy in Eighteenth-Century Manhattan

Lepore writes that New York Burning is a story of how “slavery made liberty possible” (219) for 18th-century Americans. In what ways are slavery and liberty connected in 18th-century New York? Use concrete examples from the text to defend your argument.

Lepore argues that Hughson’s plot is best understood as a private joke about the Freemasons, rather than a legitimate attempt to stir up rebellion. Do you agree with Lepore’s historical argument about Hughson’s motives? Why or why not?

What does the hysteria surrounding the 1741 fires tell us about social anxieties in 18th-century New York? What in particular does the response to the fires reveal about attitudes towards slaves?

New York Burning can be seen as a story of mass hysteria, in which a group of people become panicked and consumed by fear. Choose another historical incident of mass hysteria, such as the Salem witch trials, and compare it to New York’s slave burnings. How do the two incidents differ, and how are they similar?

In New York Burning’s appendices, Lepore provides information on how she conducted her research for the book, as well as reproductions of the lists of accused slaves and slave owners. Why would Lepore choose to provide this information to the reader? Can you reach a different conclusion about the 1741 fires based on the historical evidence Lepore provides?

While Horsmanden’s Journal is a largely accurate reproduction of the original court documents, Lepore describes numerous incidents in which Horsmanden makes alterations to the documents, changing or omitting pieces of information. What purpose do these alterations serve? What narrative is Horsmanden attempting to create through these changes?

Throughout New York Burning, New York’s educated men will frequently espouse the ideals of political liberty at the same time that they engage in the institution of human slavery—a paradox which appears by contemporary standards to be blatantly hypocritical. What are some of the ways that these men justify slavery to themselves? Why do they not think that rights and freedom should be extended to black people?

In the Epilogue, Lepore describes the rediscovery of the Negro Burial Ground and suggests that the victims of slavery buried there have yet to be properly commemorated. Do you think that America has fully come to terms with its slave history? Why or why not?