Final answer:
Patrick M. Roberts is presented as a firm opponent of slavery, comparing its eradication to a righteous battle against evil. References indicate a strong anti-slavery sentiment in New York and contrast the justifications by southern figures who promoted slavery as a paternalistic and economically necessary institution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The point of view of Patrick M. Roberts on slavery in New York, as can be inferred from the historical references provided, is one of staunch opposition. Roberts, comparable to his Puritan ancestors who fought against what they considered ungodly, saw slavery as an unacceptable evil that should be eradicated with resoluteness. He believed in taking an assertive stance against the institution of slavery and was perceived as a figure who, like the historical Patrick Henry, could inspire others with his eloquence on the cause of liberty. Moreover, the references to the strong abolitionist sentiment in New York suggest a culture of resistance to and protection of fugitive slaves, in contrast to the depiction of slavery as a paternalistic institution justified by figures like Edmond Ruffin and James Henry Hammond. These justifications included beliefs that slaves were provided for by their masters and that slavery allowed a mudsill class to exist which enabled whites in the South to progress toward civilization, a theory known as the mudsill theory.
Instances such as Solomon Northup's personal narrative, 'Twelve Years a Slave', highlight the contrast between the perception of slavery in the North and the brutal realities of the slave markets in the South. This dual perspective underscores the divisive nature of slavery in America and the complex social and political dynamics that shaped sentiments and policies regarding the institution in states such as New York.