4 "The Selling of Joseph" condemns slavery and the slave trade in North America and presents arguments against all aspects of slavery. Sewell argues against the taking, buying and holding of slaves and labels stealing people an dreadful crime and he uses verses from the Bible to support his statements. A judge, businessman and printer in Massachusetts, Sewall wrote "The Selling of Joseph" in 1700. He presented a liberal viewpoint, making him one of the first colonial abolitionists. At the time, Sewall was most known for his involvement in the Salem witch trials, for which he later apologized. "The Selling of Joseph" might have been inspired by a petition circulated throughout Boston at the time that was a plea to free a slave and his wife.