This practice received highly favorable social sanction, and masters often celebrated national holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special events by Manumitting one or more of their favorite slaves.
"The Black Experience in America The Immigrant Heritage of America"
Norman Coombs
I know a lady in Georgia who would, I believe, make any personal sacrifice to instruct her slaves, and give them freedom; but if she were found guilty of teaching the alphabet, or Manumitting her slaves, fines and imprisonment would be the consequence; if she sold them, they would be likely to fall into hands less merciful than her own.
"An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans"
Lydia Maria Child