The findings indicate that by the end of the eighteenth century, the percentage of convictions against black defendants rose dramatically, while at the same time, judges and juries dismissed proportionately fewer charges against blacks. This change occurred in tandem with a growing preoccupation with property crimes perpetrated by the poorer white and black occupants of the city. The study also demonstrates that greater numbers of blacks were dealt with under "disorderly conduct" guidelines. However, the court system did offer blacks greater equity than the society at large; although there were differences in conviction rates for whites and blacks, they are not enormous gaps. The rapidly increasing poor black population of Philadelphia stymied efforts by white reformers to foster tolerance and opportunity for blacks and paved the way for a greater failure in racial relations in the next century. 6 tables, 4 figures, 80 notes.