The Suppression of the African Slave Trade to the United States of America Part 42

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"_Resolved_, That this House receive with painful sensibility information that one of the Southern States, by a repeal of certain prohibitory laws, have permitted a traffic unjust in its nature, and highly impolitic in free Governments." Ruled out of order by the chairman of the Committee of the Whole. _Annals of Cong._, 8 Cong. 1 sess. p. 1004.

~1804, Feb. 15. Congress (House): Proposed Duty.~

"_Resolved_, That a tax of ten dollars be imposed on every slave imported into any part of the United States."

"_Ordered_, That a bill, or bills, be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution," etc. Feb. 16 "a bill laying a duty on slaves imported into the United States" was read, but was never considered. _House Journal_ (repr. 1826), 8 Cong. 1 sess. IV 523, 578, 580, 581-2, 585; _Annals of Cong._, 8 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 820, 876, 991, 1012, 1020, 1024-36.

~1804, March 26. United States Statute: Slave-Trade Limited.~

"An Act erecting Louisiana into two territories," etc. Acts of 1794 and 1803 extended to Louisiana. _Statutes at Large_, II. 283. For proceedings in Congress, see _Annals of Cong._, 8 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 106, 211, 223, 231, 233-4, 238, 255, 1038, 1054-68, 1069-79, 1128-30, 1185-9.

~1805, Feb. 15. Ma.s.sachusetts: Proposed Amendment.~

"_Resolve requesting the Governor to transmit to the Senators and Representatives in Congress, and the Executives of the several States this Resolution, as an amendment to the Const.i.tution of the United States, respecting Slaves._" June 8, Governor's message; Connecticut answers that it is inexpedient; Maryland opposes the proposition.

_Ma.s.sachusetts Resolves_, February, 1805, p. 55; June, 1805, p. 18. See below, March 3, 1805.

~1805, March 2. United States Statute: Slave-Trade to Orleans Territory Permitted.~

"An Act further providing for the government of the territory of Orleans."

-- 1. A territorial government erected similar to Mississippi, with same rights and privileges.

-- 5. 6th Article of Ordinance of 1787, on slaves, not to extend to this territory.

_Statutes at Large_, II. 322. For proceedings in Congress, see _Annals of Cong._, 8 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 28, 30, 45-6, 47, 48, 54, 59-61, 69, 727-8, 871-2, 957, 1016-9, 1020-1, 1201, 1209-10, 1211. Cf. _Statutes at Large_, II. 331; _Annals of Cong._, 8 Cong. 2 sess., pp. 50, 51, 52, 57, 68, 69, 1213, 1215. In _Journals_, see Index, Senate Bills Nos. 8, 11.

~1805, March 3. Congress (House): Ma.s.sachusetts Proposition to Amend Const.i.tution.~

Mr. Varnum of Ma.s.sachusetts presented the resolution of the Legislature of Ma.s.sachusetts, "instructing the Senators, and requesting the Representatives in Congress, from the said State, to take all legal and necessary steps, to use their utmost exertions, as soon as the same is practicable, to obtain an amendment to the Federal Const.i.tution, so as to authorize and empower the Congress of the United States to pa.s.s a law, whenever they may deem it expedient, to prevent the further importation of slaves from any of the West India Islands, from the coast of Africa, or elsewhere, into the United States, or any part thereof." A motion was made that Congress have power to prevent further importation; it was read and ordered to lie on the table. _House Journal_ (repr. 1826), 8 Cong. 2 sess. V 171; _Annals of Cong._, 8 Cong.

2 sess. pp. 1221-2. For the original resolution, see _Ma.s.sachusetts Resolves_, May, 1802, to March, 1806, Vol. II. A. (State House ed., p.

239.)

~1805, Dec. 17. Congress (Senate): Proposition to Prohibit Importation.~

A "bill to prohibit the importation of certain persons therein described into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, from and after" Jan. 1, 1808, was read twice and postponed. _Senate Journal_ (repr. 1821), 9 Cong. 1 sess. IV. 10-11; _Annals of Cong._, 9 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 20-1.

~1806, Jan. 20. Congress (House): Vermont Proposed Amendment.~

"Mr. Olin, one of the Representatives from the State of Vermont, presented to the House certain resolutions of the General a.s.sembly of the said State, proposing an article of amendment to the Const.i.tution of the United States, to prevent the further importation of slaves, or people of color, from any of the West India Islands, from the coast of Africa, or elsewhere, into the United States, or any part thereof; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table." No further mention found.

_House Journal_ (repr. 1826), 9 Cong. 1 sess. V 238; _Annals of Cong._, 9 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 343-4.

~1806, Jan. 25. Virginia: Imported Slaves to be Sold.~

"An Act to amend the several laws concerning slaves."

-- 5. If the jury before whom the importer is brought "shall find that the said slave or slaves were brought into this commonwealth, and have remained therein, contrary to the provisions of this act, the court shall make an order, directing him, her or them to be delivered to the overseers of the poor, to be by them sold for cash and applied as herein directed."

-- 8. Penalty for bringing slaves, $400 per slave; the same for buying or hiring, knowingly, such a slave.

-- 16. This act to take effect May 1, 1806. _Statutes at Large of Virginia_, New Series, III. 251.

~1806, Jan. 27. Congress (House): Bill to Tax Slaves Imported.~

"A Bill laying a duty on slaves imported into any of the United States."

Finally dropped. _House Journal_ (repr. 1826), 8 Cong. 2 sess. V. 129; _Ibid._, 9 Cong. 1 sess. V. 195, 223, 240, 242, 243-4, 248, 260, 262, 264, 276-7, 287, 294, 305, 309, 338; _Annals of Cong._, 9 Cong. 1 sess.

pp. 273, 274, 346, 358, 372, 434, 442-4, 533.

~1806, Feb. 4. Congress (House): Proposition to Prohibit Slave-Trade after 1807.~

Mr. Bidwell moved that the following section be added to the bill for taxing slaves imported,--that any ship so engaged be forfeited. The proposition was rejected, yeas, 17, nays, 86 (?). _Annals of Cong._, 9 Cong. 1 sess. p. 438.

~1806, Feb. 10. Congress (House): New Hampshire Proposed Amendment.~

"Mr. Tenney ... presented to the House certain resolutions of the Legislature of the State of New Hampshire, 'proposing an amendment to the Const.i.tution of the United States, so as to authorize and empower Congress to pa.s.s a law, whenever they may deem it expedient, to prevent the further importation of slaves,' or people of color, into the United States, or any part thereof." Read and laid on the table. _House Journal_ (repr. 1826), 9 Cong. 1 sess. V. 266; _Annals of Cong._, 9 Cong. 1 sess. p. 448.

~1806, Feb. 17. Congress (House): Proposition on Slave-Trade.~

The committee on the slave-trade reported a resolution:--

"_Resolved_, That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons, to import or bring into any of the Territories of the United States, any slave or slaves that may hereafter be imported into the United States."

_House Journal_, 9 Cong. 1 sess. V 264, 278, 308, 345-6; _House Reports_, 9 Cong. 1 sess. II. Feb. 17, 1806; _Annals of Cong._, 9 Cong.

1 sess. pp. 472-3.

~1806, April 7. Congress (Senate): Maryland Proposed Amendment.~

"Mr. Wright communicated a resolution of the legislature of the state of Maryland instructing their Senators and Representatives in Congress to use their utmost exertions to obtain an amendment to the const.i.tution of the United States to prevent the further importation of slaves; whereupon, Mr. Wright submitted the following resolutions for the consideration of the Senate....

"_Resolved_, That the migration or importation of slaves into the United States, or any territory thereof, be prohibited after the first day of January, 1808." Considered April 10, and further consideration postponed until the first Monday in December next. _Senate Journal_ (repr. 1821), 9 Cong. 1 sess. IV. 76-7, 79; _Annals of Cong._, 9 Cong. 1 sess. pp.

229, 232.

~1806, Dec. 2. President Jefferson's Message.~

See above, pages 97-98. _House Journal_ (repr. 1826), 9 Cong. 2 sess. V.

468.

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-- 3. Such slaves cannot be sold within three years, except by will, etc.

In 1797, "A Supplementary Act," etc., slightly amended the preceding, allowing guardians, executors, etc., to import the slaves of the estate.

Dorsey, _Laws_, I. 334, 344.

~1796, Dec. 19. South Carolina: Importation Prohibited until 1799.~

"An Act to prohibit the importation of Negroes, until the first day of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine."

"Whereas, it appears to be highly impolitic to import negroes from Africa, or other places beyond seas," etc. Extended by acts of Dec. 21, 1798, and Dec. 20, 1800, until Jan. 1, 1803. Cooper, _Statutes_, VII.

434, 436.

~1797, Jan. 18. Delaware: Codification of Acts.~

"An Act concerning Negro and Mulatto slaves."

-- 5. " ... any Negro or Mulatto slave, who hath been or shall be brought into this state contrary to the intent and meaning of [the act of 1787]; and any Negro or Mulatto slave who hath been or shall be exported, or sold with an intention for exportation, or carried out for sale from this state, contrary to the intent and meaning of [the act of 1793], shall be, and are hereby declared free; any thing in this act to the contrary notwithstanding." _Laws of Delaware_ (ed. 1797), p. 1321, ch.

124 c.

~1798, Jan. 31. Georgia: Importation Prohibited.~

"An act to prohibit the further importation of slaves into this state."

-- 1. " ... six months after the pa.s.sing of this act, it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to import into this state, from Africa or elsewhere, any negro or negroes of any age or s.e.x." Every person so offending shall forfeit for the first offence the sum of $1,000 for every negro so imported, and for every subsequent offence the sum of $1,000, one half for the use of the informer, and one half for the use of the State.

-- 2. Slaves not to be brought from other States for sale after three months.

-- 3. Persons convicted of bringing slaves into this State with a view to sell them, are subject to the same penalties as if they had sold them.

Marbury and Crawford, _Digest_, p. 440.

~1798, March 14. New Jersey: Slave-Trade Prohibited.~

"An Act respecting slaves."

-- 12. "_And be it enacted_, That from and after the pa.s.sing of this act, it shall not be lawful for any person or persons whatsoever, to bring into this state, either for sale or for servitude, any negro or other slave whatsoever." Penalty, $140 for each slave; travellers and temporary residents excepted.

-- 17. Any persons fitting out vessels for the slave-trade shall forfeit them. Paterson, _Digest_, p. 307.

~1798, April 7. United States Statute: Importation into Mississippi Territory Prohibited.~

"An Act for an amicable settlement of limits with the state of Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a government in the Mississippi territory." _Statutes at Large_, I. 549. For proceedings in Congress, see _Annals of Cong._, 5 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 532, 533, 1235, 1249, 1277-84, 1296, 1298-1312, 1313, 1318.

~1798, May 30. Georgia: Const.i.tutional Prohibition.~

Const.i.tution of Georgia:--

Art. IV -- 11. "There shall be no future importation of slaves into this state from Africa, or any foreign place, after the first day of October next. The legislature shall have no power to pa.s.s laws for the emanc.i.p.ation of slaves, without the consent of each of their respective owners previous to such emanc.i.p.ation. They shall have no power to prevent emigrants, from either of the United States to this state, from bringing with them such persons as may be deemed slaves, by the laws of any one of the United States." Marbury and Crawford, _Digest_, p. 30.

~1800, May 10. United States Statute: Americans Forbidden to Trade from one Foreign Country to Another.~

"An Act in addition to the act int.i.tuled 'An act to prohibit the carrying on the Slave Trade from the United States to any foreign place or country.'" _Statutes at Large_, II. 70. For proceedings in Congress, see _Senate Journal_ (repr. 1821), 6 Cong. 1 sess. III. 72, 77, 88, 92.

~1800, Dec. 20. South Carolina: Slaves and Free Negroes Prohibited.~

"An Act to prevent Negro Slaves and other persons of Colour, from being brought into or entering this State." Supplemented Dec. 19, 1801, and amended Dec. 18, 1802. Cooper, _Statutes_, VII. 436, 444, 447.

~1801, April 8. New York: Slave-Trade Prohibited.~

"An Act concerning slaves and servants."

" ... _And be it further enacted_, That no slave shall hereafter be imported or brought into this State, unless the person importing or bringing such slave shall be coming into this State with intent to reside permanently therein and shall have resided without this State, and also have owned such slave at least during one year next preceding the importing or bringing in of such slave," etc. A certificate, sworn to, must be obtained; any violation of this act or neglect to take out such certificate will result in freedom to the slave. Any sale or limited transfer of any person hereafter imported to be a public offence, under penalty of $250, and freedom to the slave transferred.

The export of slaves or of any person freed by this act is forbidden, under penalty of $250 and freedom to the slave. Transportation for crime is permitted. Re-enacted with amendments March 31, 1817. _Laws of New York, 1801_ (ed. 1887), pp. 547-52; _Laws of New York, 1817_ (ed. 1817), p. 136.

~1803, Feb. 28. United States Statute: Importation into States Prohibiting Forbidden.~

"An Act to prevent the importation of certain persons into certain states, where, by the laws thereof, their admission is prohibited."

_Statutes at Large_, II. 205. For copy of the proposed bill which this replaced, see _Annals of Cong._, 7 Cong. 2 sess. p. 467. For proceedings in Congress, see _House Journal_ (repr. 1826), 7 Cong. 2 sess. IV 304, 324, 347; _Senate Journal_ (repr. 1821), 7 Cong. 2 sess. III. 267, 268, 269-70, 273, 275, 276, 279.

~1803, Dec. 17. South Carolina: African Slaves Admitted.~

"An Act to alter and amend the several Acts respecting the importation or bringing into this State, from beyond seas, or elsewhere, Negroes and other persons of colour; and for other purposes therein mentioned."

-- 1. Acts of 1792, 1794, 1796, 1798, 1800, 1802, hereby repealed.

-- 2. Importation of Negroes from the West Indies prohibited.

-- 3. No Negro over fifteen years of age to be imported from the United States except under certificate of good character.

-- 5. Negroes illegally imported to be forfeited and sold, etc. Cooper, _Statutes_, VII. 449.

~1804.~ [~Denmark.~

Act of 1792 abolishing the slave-trade goes into effect.]

~1804, Feb. 14. Congress (House): Proposed Censure of South Carolina.~

Representative Moore of South Carolina offered the following resolution, as a subst.i.tute to Mr. Bard's taxing proposition of Jan. 6:--

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~1789, Sept. 19. Congress (House): Bill to Tax Slaves Imported.~

A committee under Parker of Virginia reports, "a bill concerning the importation of certain persons prior to the year 1808." Read once and postponed until next session. _House Journal_ (repr. 1826), 1 Cong. 1 sess. I. 37, 114; _Annals of Cong._, 1 Cong. 1 sess., pp. 366, 903.

~1790, March 22. Congress (House): Declaration of Powers.~

See above, pages 82-83.

~1790, March 22. New York: Amendment of Act of 1788.~

"An Act to amend the act ent.i.tled 'An act concerning slaves.'"

"Whereas many inconveniences have arisen from the prohibiting the exporting of slaves from this State. Therefore

"_Be it enacted_ ..., That where any slave shall hereafter be convicted of a crime under the degree of a capital offence, in the supreme court, or the court of oyer and terminer, and general gaol delivery, or a court of general sessions of the peace within this State, it shall and may be lawful to and for the master or mistress to cause such slave to be transported out of this State," etc. _Laws of New York, 1789-96_ (ed.

1886), p. 151.

~1792, May. Connecticut: Act of 1788 Strengthened.~

"An Act in addition to an Act, ent.i.tled 'An Act to prevent the Slave Trade.'"

This provided that persons directly or indirectly aiding or a.s.sisting in slave-trading should be fined 100. All notes, bonds, mortgages, etc., of any kind, made or executed in payment for any slave imported contrary to this act, are declared null and void. Persons removing from the State might carry away their slaves. _Acts and Laws of Connecticut_ (ed.

1784), pp. 412-3.

~1792, Dec. 17. Virginia: Revision of Acts.~

"An Act to reduce into one, the several acts concerning slaves, free negroes, and mulattoes."

-- 1. "_Be it enacted_ ..., That no persons shall henceforth be slaves within this commonwealth, except such as were so on the seventeenth day of October," 1785, "and the descendants of the females of them."

-- 2. "Slaves which shall hereafter be brought into this commonwealth, and kept therein one whole year together, or so long at different times as shall amount to one year, shall be free."

-- 4. "_Provided_, That nothing in this act contained, shall be construed to extend to those who may incline to remove from any of the United States and become citizens of this, if within sixty days after such removal, he or she shall take the following oath before some justice of the peace of this commonwealth: '_I, A.B., do swear, that my removal into the state of Virginia, was with no intent of evading the laws for preventing the further importation of slaves, nor have I brought with me any slaves, with an intention of selling them, nor have any of the slaves which I have brought with me, been imported from Africa, or any of the West India islands, since the first day of November_,'" 1778, etc.

-- 53. This act to be in force immediately. _Statutes at Large of Virginia, New Series_, I. 122.

~1792, Dec. 21. South Carolina: Importation Prohibited until 1795.~

"An Act to prohibit the importation of Slaves from Africa, or other places beyond sea, into this State, for two years; and also to prohibit the importation or bringing in Slaves, or Negroes, Mulattoes, Indians, Moors or Mestizoes, bound for a term of years, from any of the United States, by land or by water."

"Whereas, it is deemed inexpedient to increase the number of slaves within this State, in our present circ.u.mstances and situation;

-- 1. "_Be it therefore enacted_ ..., That no slave shall be imported into this State from Africa, the West India Islands, or other place beyond sea, for and during the term of two years, commencing from the first day of January next, which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three."

-- 2. No slaves, Negroes, Indians, etc., bound for a term of years, to be brought in from any of the United States or bordering countries.

Settlers may bring their slaves. Cooper, _Statutes_, VII. 431.

~1793, Dec. 19. Georgia: Importation Prohibited.~

"An act to prevent the importation of negroes into this state from the places herein mentioned." t.i.tle only. Re-enacted (?) by the Const.i.tution of 1798. Marbury and Crawford, _Digest_, p. 442; Prince, _Digest_, p.

786.

~1794, North Carolina: Importation Prohibited.~

"An act to prevent the further importation and bringing of slaves and indented servants of colour into this state."

-- 1. "_Be it enacted_ ..., That from and after the first day of May next, no slave or indented servant of colour shall be imported or brought into this state by land or water; nor shall any slave or indented servant of colour, who may be imported or brought contrary to the intent and meaning of this act, be bought, sold or hired by any person whatever."

-- 2. Penalty for importing, 100 per slave; for buying or selling, the same.

-- 4. Persons removing, travelling, etc., are excepted. The act was amended slightly in 1796. Martin, _Iredell's Acts of a.s.sembly_, II. 53, 94.

~1794, March 22. United States Statute: Export Slave-Trade Forbidden.~

"An Act to prohibit the carrying on the Slave Trade from the United States to any foreign place or country." _Statutes at Large_, I. 347.

For proceedings in Congress, see _Senate Journal_ (repr. 1820), 3 Cong.

1 sess. II. 51; _House Journal_ (repr. 1826), 3 Cong. 1 sess. II. 76, 84, 85, 96, 98, 99, 100; _Annals of Cong._, 3 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 64, 70, 72.

~1794, Dec. 20. South Carolina: Act of 1792 Extended.~

"An Act to revive and extend an Act ent.i.tled 'An Act to prohibit the importation of Slaves from Africa, or other places beyond Sea, into this State, for two years; and also, to prohibit the importation or bringing in of Negro Slaves, Mulattoes, Indians, Moors or Mestizoes, bound for a term of years, from any of the United States, by Land or Water.'"

-- 1. Act of 1792 extended until Jan. 1, 1797.

-- 2. It shall not be lawful hereafter to import slaves, free Negroes, etc., from the West Indies, any part of America outside the United States, "or from other parts beyond sea." Such slaves are to be forfeited and sold; the importer to be fined 50; free Negroes to be re-transported. Cooper, _Statutes_, VII. 433.

~1795. North Carolina: Act against West Indian Slaves.~

"An act to prevent any person who may emigrate from any of the West India or Bahama islands, or the French, Dutch or Spanish settlements on the southern coast of America, from bringing slaves into this state, and also for imposing certain restrictions on free persons of colour who may hereafter come into this state." Penalty, 100 for each slave over 15 years of age. _Laws of North Carolina_ (revision of 1819), I. 786.

~1796. Maryland: Importation Prohibited.~

"An Act relating to Negroes, and to repeal the acts of a.s.sembly therein mentioned."

"_Be it enacted_ ..., That it shall not be lawful, from and after the pa.s.sing of this act, to import or bring into this state, by land or water, any negro, mulatto or other slave, for sale, or to reside within this state; and any person brought into this state as a slave contrary to this act, if a slave before, shall thereupon immediately cease to be the property of the person or persons so importing or bringing such slave within this state, and shall be free."

-- 2. Any citizen of the United States, coming into the State to take up _bona fide_ residence, may bring with him, or within one year import, any slave which was his property at the time of removal, "which slaves, or the mother of which slaves, shall have been a resident of the United States, or some one of them, three whole years next preceding such removal."

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~1787, March 28. South Carolina: Importation Prohibited.~

"An Ordinance to impose a Penalty on any person who shall import into this State any Negroes, contrary to the Instalment Act."

1. "_Be it ordained_, by the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives, met in General a.s.sembly, and by the authority of the same, That any person importing or bringing into this State a negro slave, contrary to the Act to regulate the recovery of debts and prohibiting the importation of negroes, shall, besides the forfeiture of such negro or slave, be liable to a penalty of one hundred pounds, to the use of the State, for every such negro or slave so imported and brought in, in addition to the forfeiture in and by the said Act prescribed." Cooper, _Statutes_, VII. 430.

~1787, October. Rhode Island: Importation Prohibited.~

"An act to prevent the slave trade and to encourage the abolition of slavery." This act prohibited and censured trade under penalty of 100 for each person and 1,000 for each vessel. Bartlett, _Index to the Printed Acts and Resolves_, p. 333; _Narragansett Historical Register_, II. 298-9.

APPENDIX B.

A CHRONOLOGICAL CONSPECTUS OF STATE, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION.

1788-1871.

As the State statutes and Congressional reports and bills are difficult to find, the significant parts of such doc.u.ments are printed in full. In the case of national statutes and treaties, the texts may easily be found through the references.

~1788, Feb. 22. New York: Slave-Trade Prohibited.~

"An Act concerning slaves."

"Whereas in consequence of the act directing a revision of the laws of this State, it is expedient that the several existing laws relative to slaves, should be revised, and comprized in one. Therefore, _Be it enacted_," etc.

"And to prevent the further importation of slaves into this State, _Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid_, That if any person shall sell as a slave within this State any negro, or other person, who has been imported or brought into this State, after" June 1, 1785, "such seller, or his or her factor or agent, making such sale, shall be deemed guilty of a public offence, and shall for every such offence, forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds.... _And further_, That every person so imported ... shall be free." The purchase of slaves for removal to another State is prohibited under penalty of 100. _Laws of New York, 1785-88_ (ed. 1886), pp. 675-6.

~1788, March 25. Ma.s.sachusetts: Slave-Trade Prohibited.~

"An Act to prevent the Slave-Trade, and for granting Relief to the Families of such unhappy Persons as may be kidnapped or decoyed away from this Commonwealth."

"Whereas by the African trade for slaves, the lives and liberties of many innocent persons have been from time to time sacrificed to the l.u.s.t of gain: And whereas some persons residing in this Commonwealth may be so regardless of the rights of human kind, as to be concerned in that unrighteous commerce:

-- 1. "Be it therefore enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court a.s.sembled, and by the authority of the same, That no citizen of this Commonwealth, or other person residing within the same, shall for himself, or any other person whatsoever, either as master, factor, supercargo, owner or hirer, in whole or in part, of any vessel, directly or indirectly, import or transport, or buy or sell, or receive on board, his or their vessel, with intent to cause to be imported or transported, any of the inhabitants of any State or Kingdom, in that part of the world called _Africa_, as slaves, or as servants for term of years." Any person convicted of doing this shall forfeit and pay the sum of 50 for every person received on board, and the sum of 200 for every vessel fitted out for the trade, "to be recovered by action of debt, in any Court within this Commonwealth, proper to try the same; the one moiety thereof to the use of this Commonwealth, and the other moiety to the person who shall prosecute for and recover the same."

-- 2. All insurance on said vessels and cargo shall be null and void; "and this act may be given in evidence under the general issue, in any suit or action commenced for the recovery of insurance so made," etc.

-- 4. "_Provided_ ... That this act do not extend to vessels which have already sailed, their owners, factors, or commanders, for and during their present voyage, or to any insurance that shall have been made, previous to the pa.s.sing of the same." _Perpetual Laws of Ma.s.sachusetts, 1780-89_ (ed. 1789), p. 235.

~1788, March 29. Pennsylvania: Slave-Trade Prohibited.~

"An Act to explain and amend an act, ent.i.tuled, 'An Act for the gradual abolition of slavery.'"

-- 2. Slaves brought in by persons intending to settle shall be free.

-- 3. " ... no negro or mulatto slave, or servant for term of years,"

except servants of congressmen, consuls, etc., "shall be removed out of this state, with the design and intention that the place of abode or residence of such slave or servant shall be thereby altered or changed, or with the design and intention that such slave or servant, if a female, and pregnant, shall be detained and kept out of this state till her delivery of the child of which she is or shall be pregnant, or with the design and intention that such slave or servant shall be brought again into this state, after the expiration of six months from the time of such slave or servant having been first brought into this state, without his or her consent, if of full age, testified upon a private examination, before two Justices of the peace of the city or county in which he or she shall reside, or, being under the age of twenty-one years, without his or her consent, testified in manner aforesaid, and also without the consent of his or her parents," etc. Penalty for every such offence, 75.

-- 5. " ... if any person or persons shall build, fit, equip, man, or otherwise prepare any ship or vessel, within any port of this state, or shall cause any ship or other vessel to sail from any port of this state, for the purpose of carrying on a trade or traffic in slaves, to, from, or between Europe, Asia, Africa or America, or any places or countries whatever, or of transporting slaves to or from one port or place to another, in any part or parts of the world, such ship or vessel, her tackle, furniture, apparel, and other appurtenances, shall be forfeited to the commonwealth.... And, moreover, all and every person and persons so building, fitting out," etc., shall forfeit 1000.

Dallas, _Laws_, II. 586.

~1788, October. Connecticut: Slave-Trade Prohibited.~

"An Act to prevent the Slave-Trade."

_"Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representatives in General Court a.s.sembled, and by the Authority of the same_, That no Citizen or Inhabitant of this State, shall for himself, or any other Person, either as Master, Factor, Supercargo, Owner or Hirer, in Whole, or in Part, of any Vessel, directly or indirectly, import or transport, or buy or sell, or receive on board his or her Vessel, with Intent to cause to be imported or transported, any of the Inhabitants of any Country in Africa, as Slaves or Servants, for Term of Years; upon Penalty of _Fifty Pounds_, for every Person so received on board, as aforesaid; and of _Five Hundred Pounds_ for every such Vessel employed in the Importation or Transportation aforesaid; to be recovered by Action, Bill, Plaint or Information; the one Half to the Plaintiff, and the other Half to the Use of this State." And all insurance on vessels and slaves shall be void. This act to be given as evidence under general issue, in any suit commenced for recovery of such insurance.

" ... if any Person shall kidnap ... any free Negro," etc., inhabitant of this State, he shall forfeit 100. Every vessel clearing for the coast of Africa or any other part of the world, and suspected to be in the slave-trade, must give bond in 1000. Slightly amended in 1789.

_Acts and Laws of Connecticut_ (ed. 1784), pp. 368-9, 388.

~1788, Nov. 4. South Carolina: Temporary Prohibition.~

"An Act to regulate the Payment and Recovery of Debts, and to prohibit the Importation of Negroes, for the Time therein limited."

-- 16. "No negro or other slave shall be imported or brought into this State either by land or water on or before the first of January, 1793, under the penalty of forfeiting every such slave or slaves to any person who will sue or inform for the same; and under further penalty of paying 100 to the use of the State for every such negro or slave so imported or brought in: _Provided_, That nothing in this prohibition contained shall extend to such slaves as are now the property of citizens of the United States, and at the time of pa.s.sing this act shall be within the limits of the said United States.

-- 17. "All former instalment laws, and an ordinance imposing a penalty on persons importing negroes into this State, pa.s.sed the 28th day of March 1787, are hereby repealed." Grimke, _Public Laws_, p. 466.

~1789, Feb. 3. Delaware: Slave-Trade Prohibited.~

"_An additional Supplementary_ ACT _to an act, int.i.tuled_, An act to prevent the exportation of slaves, and for other purposes."

"Whereas it is inconsistent with that spirit of general liberty which pervades the const.i.tution of this state, that vessels should be fitted out, or equipped, in any of the ports thereof, for the purpose of receiving and transporting the natives of Africa to places where they are held in slavery; or that any acts should be deemed lawful, which tend to encourage or promote such iniquitous traffic among us:

-- 1. "_Be it therefore enacted by the General a.s.sembly of Delaware_, That if any owner or owners, master, agent, or factor, shall fit out, equip, man, or otherwise prepare, any ship or vessel within any port or place in this state, or shall cause any ship, or other vessel, to sail from any port or place in this state, for the purpose of carrying on a trade or traffic in slaves, to, from, or between, Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, or any places or countries whatever, or of transporting slaves to, or from, one port or place to another, in any part or parts of the world; such ship or vessel, her tackle, furniture, apparel, and other appurtenances, shall be forfeited to this state.... And moreover, all and every person and persons so fitting out ... any ship or vessel ... shall severally forfeit and pay the sum of Five Hundred Pounds;"

one-half to the state, and one-half to the informer.

-- 2. "_And whereas_ it has been found by experience, that the act, int.i.tuled, _An act to prevent the exportation of slaves, and for other purposes_, has not produced all the good effects expected therefrom,"

any one exporting a slave to Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, or the West Indies, without license, shall forfeit 100 for each slave exported and 20 for each attempt.

-- 3. Slaves to be tried by jury for capital offences. _Laws of Delaware_ (ed. 1797), p. 942, ch. 194 b.

~1789, May 13. Congress (House): Proposed Duty on Slaves Imported.~

A tax of $10 per head on slaves imported, moved by Parker of Virginia.

After debate, withdrawn. _Annals of Cong._, 1 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 336-42.

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"An Act for the gradual abolition of slavery."

-- 5. All slaves to be registered before Nov. 1.

-- 10. None but slaves "registered as aforesaid, shall, at any time hereafter, be deemed, adjudged, or holden, within the territories of this commonwealth, as slaves or servants for life, but as free men and free women; except the domestic slaves attending upon Delegates in Congress from the other American States," and those of travellers not remaining over six months, foreign ministers, etc., "provided such domestic slaves be not aliened or sold to any inhabitant," etc.

-- 11. Fugitive slaves from other states may be taken back.

-- 14. Former duty acts, etc., repealed. Dallas, _Laws_, I. 838. Cf.

_Penn. Archives_, VII. 79; VIII. 720.

~1783, April. Confederation: Slave-Trade in Treaty of 1783.~

"To the earnest wish of Jay that British ships should have no right under the convention to carry into the states any slaves from any part of the world, it being the intention of the United States entirely to prohibit their importation, Fox answered promptly: 'If that be their policy, it never can be competent to us to dispute with them their own regulations.'" Fox to Hartley, June 10, 1783, in Bancroft, _History of the Const.i.tution_, I. 61. Cf. Sparks, _Diplomatic Correspondence_, X.

154, June, 1783.

~1783. Maryland: Importation Prohibited.~

"An Act to prohibit the bringing slaves into this state."

" ... it shall not be lawful, after the pa.s.sing this act, to import or bring into this state, by land or water, any negro, mulatto, or other slave, for sale, or to reside within this state; and any person brought into this state as a slave contrary to this act, if a slave before, shall thereupon immediately cease to be a slave, and shall be free; provided that this act shall not prohibit any person, being a citizen of some one of the United States, coming into this state, with a _bona fide_ intention of settling therein, and who shall actually reside within this state for one year at least, ... to import or bring in any slave or slaves which before belonged to such person, and which slave or slaves had been an inhabitant of some one of the United States, for the s.p.a.ce of three whole years next preceding such importation," etc. _Laws of Maryland since 1763_: 1783, sess. April--June, ch. xxiii.

~1783, Aug. 13. South Carolina: 3 and 20 Duty Act.~

"An Act for levying and collecting certain duties and imposts therein mentioned, in aid of the public revenue." Cooper, _Statutes_, IV. 576.

~1784, February. Rhode Island: Manumission.~

"An Act authorizing the manumission of negroes, mulattoes, and others, and for the gradual abolition of slavery." Persons born after March, 1784, to be free. Bill framed pursuant to a pet.i.tion of Quakers.

_Colonial Records_, X. 7-8; Arnold, _History of Rhode Island_, II. 503.

~1784, March 26. South Carolina: 3 and 5 Duty Act.~

"An Act for levying and collecting certain Duties," etc. Cooper, _Statutes_, IV. 607.

~1785, April 12. New York: Partial Prohibition.~

"An Act granting a bounty on hemp to be raised within this State, and imposing an additional duty on sundry articles of merchandise, and for other purposes therein mentioned."

" ... _And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid_, That if any negro or other person to be imported or brought into this State from any of the United States or from any other place or country after the first day of June next, shall be sold as a slave or slaves within this State, the seller or his or her factor or agent, shall be deemed guilty of a public offence, and shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds lawful money of New York, to be recovered by any person," etc.

"_And be it further enacted_ ... That every such person imported or brought into this State and sold contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act shall be freed." _Laws of New York, 1785-88_ (ed. 1886), pp.

120-21.

~1785. Rhode Island: Restrictive Measure (?).~

t.i.tle and text not found. Cf. _Public Laws of Rhode Island_ (revision of 1822), p. 441.

~1786, March 2. New Jersey: Importation Prohibited.~

"An Act to prevent the importation of Slaves into the State of New Jersey, and to authorize the Manumission of them under certain restrictions, and to prevent the Abuse of Slaves."

"Whereas the Principles of Justice and Humanity require that the barbarous Custom of bringing the unoffending African from his native Country and Connections into a State of Slavery ought to be discountenanced, and as soon as possible prevented; and sound Policy also requires, in order to afford ample Support to such of the Community as depend upon their Labour for their daily Subsistence, that the Importation of Slaves into this State from any other State or Country whatsoever, ought to be prohibited under certain Restrictions; and that such as are under Servitude in the State ought to be protected by Law from those Exercises of Wanton Cruelty too often practiced upon them; and that every unnecessary Obstruction in the Way of freeing Slaves should be removed; therefore,

-- 1. "_Be it Enacted by the Council and General a.s.sembly of this State, and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same_, That from and after the Publication of this Act, it shall not be lawful for any Person or Persons whatsoever to bring into this State, either for Sale or for Servitude, any Negro Slave brought from Africa since the Year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy-six; and every Person offending by bringing into this State any such Negro Slave shall, for each Slave, forfeit and Pay the Sum of Fifty Pounds, to be sued for and recovered with Costs by the Collector of the Township into which such Slave shall be brought, to be applied when recovered to the Use of the State.

-- 2. "_And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid_, That if any Person shall either bring or procure to be brought into this State, any Negro or Mulatto Slave, who shall not have been born in or brought from Africa since the Year above mentioned, and either sell or buy, or cause such Negro or Mulatto Slave to be sold or remain in this State, for the s.p.a.ce of six Months, every such Person so bringing or procuring to be brought or selling or purchasing such Slave, not born in or brought from Africa since the Year aforesaid, shall for every such Slave, forfeit and pay the Sum of Twenty Pounds, to be sued for and recovered with Costs by the Collector of the Township into which such Slave shall be brought or remain after the Time limited for that Purpose, the Forfeiture to be applied to the Use of the State as aforesaid.

-- 3. "_Provided always, and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid_, That Nothing in this Act contained shall be construed to prevent any Person who shall remove into the State, to take a settled Residence here, from bringing all his or her Slaves without incurring the Penalties aforesaid, excepting such Slaves as shall have been brought from Africa since the Year first above mentioned, or to prevent any Foreigners or others having only a temporary Residence in this State, for the Purpose of transacting any particular Business, or on their Travels, from bringing and employing such Slaves as Servants, during the Time of his or her Stay here, provided such Slaves shall not be sold or disposed of in this State." _Acts of the Tenth General a.s.sembly_ (Tower Collection of Laws).

~1786, Oct. 30. Vermont: External Trade Prohibited.~

"An act to prevent the sale and transportation of Negroes and Molattoes out of this State." 100 penalty. _Statutes of Vermont_ (ed. 1787), p.

105.

~1786. North Carolina: Prohibitive Duty.~

"An act to impose a duty on all slaves brought into this state by land or water."

"Whereas the importation of slaves into this state is productive of evil consequences, and highly impolitic," etc. A prohibitive duty is imposed.

The exact text was not found.

-- 6. Slaves introduced from States which have pa.s.sed emanc.i.p.ation acts are to be returned in three months; if not, a bond of 50 is to be forfeited, and a fine of 100 imposed.

-- 8. Act to take effect next Feb. 1; repealed by Act of 1790, ch. 18.

Martin, _Iredell's Acts of a.s.sembly_, I. 413, 492.

~1787, Feb. 3. Delaware: Exportation Prohibited.~

"An Act to prevent the exportation of slaves, and for other purposes."

_Laws of Delaware_ (ed. 1797), p. 884, ch. 145 b.

~1787, March 28. South Carolina: Total Prohibition.~

"An Act to regulate the recovery and payment of debts and for prohibiting the importation of negroes for the time therein mentioned."

t.i.tle only given. Grimke, _Public Laws_, p. lxviii, No. 1485.

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"Provided that the slaves of settlers and travellers be excepted.

"Provided, also, that nothing in this act shall extend, or be deemed to extend, to any negro or mulatto slave brought from the coast of Africa, into the West Indies, on board any vessel belonging to this colony, and which negro or mulatto slave could not be disposed of in the West Indies, but shall be brought into this colony.

"Provided, that the owner of such negro or mulatto slave give bond to the general treasurer of the said colony, within ten days after such arrival in the sum of 100, lawful money, for each and every such negro or mulatto slave so brought in, that such negro or mulatto slave shall be exported out of the colony, within one year from the date of such bond; if such negro or mulatto be alive, and in a condition to be removed."

"Provided, also, that nothing in this act shall extend, or be deemed to extend, to any negro or mulatto slave that may be on board any vessel belonging to this colony, now at sea, in her present voyage." Heavy penalties are laid for bringing in Negroes in order to free them.

_Colonial Records_, VII. 251-3.

[1784, February: "It is voted and resolved, that the whole of the clause contained in an act of this a.s.sembly, pa.s.sed at June session, A.D. 1774, permitting slaves brought from the coast of Africa into the West Indies, on board any vessel belonging to this (then colony, now) state, and who could not be disposed of in the West Indies, &c., be, and the same is, hereby repealed." _Colonial Records_, X. 8.]

~1774, October. Connecticut: Importation Prohibited.~

"An Act for prohibiting the Importation of Indian, Negro or Molatto Slaves."

" ... no indian, negro or molatto Slave shall at any time hereafter be brought or imported into this Colony, by sea or land, from any place or places whatsoever, to be disposed of, left or sold within this Colony."

This was re-enacted in the revision of 1784, and slaves born after 1784 were ordered to be emanc.i.p.ated at the age of twenty-five. _Colonial Records_, XIV. 329; _Acts and Laws of Connecticut_ (ed. 1784), pp.

233-4.

~1774. New Jersey: Proposed Prohibitive Duty.~

"A Bill for laying a Duty on Indian, Negroe and Molatto Slaves, imported into this Colony." Pa.s.sed the a.s.sembly, and was rejected by the Council as "plainly" intending "an intire Prohibition," etc. _N.J. Archives_, 1st Series, VI. 222.

~1775, March 27. Delaware: Bill to Prohibit Importation.~

Pa.s.sed the a.s.sembly and was vetoed by the governor. Force, _American Archives_, 4th Series, II. 128-9.

~1775, Nov. 23. Virginia: On Lord Dunmore's Proclamation.~

Williamsburg Convention to the public: "Our a.s.semblies have repeatedly pa.s.sed acts, laying heavy duties upon imported Negroes, by which they meant altogether to prevent the horrid traffick; but their humane intentions have been as often frustrated by the cruelty and covetousness of a set of _English_ merchants." ... The Americans would, if possible, "not only prevent any more Negroes from losing their freedom, but restore it to such as have already unhappily lost it." This is evidently addressed in part to Negroes, to keep them from joining the British.

_Ibid._, III. 1387.

~1776, June 29. Virginia: Preamble to Frame of Government.~

Blame for the slave-trade thrown on the king. See above, page 21.

Hening, _Statutes_, IX. 112-3.

~1776, Aug.-Sept. Delaware: Const.i.tution.~

"The Const.i.tution or system of Government agreed to and resolved upon by the Representatives in full Convention of the Delaware State," etc.

-- 26. "No person hereafter imported into this State from _Africa_ ought to be held in slavery on any pretence whatever; and no Negro, Indian, or Mulatto slave ought to be brought into this State, for sale, from any part of the world." Force, _American Archives_, 5th Series, I. 1174-9.

~1777, July 2. Vermont: Slavery Condemned.~

The first Const.i.tution declares slavery a violation of "natural, inherent and unalienable rights." _Vermont State Papers, 1779-86_, p.

244.

~1777. Maryland: Negro Duty Maintained.~

"An Act concerning duties."

" ... no duties imposed by act of a.s.sembly on any article or thing imported into or exported out of this state (except duties imposed on the importation of negroes), shall be taken or received within two years from the end of the present session of the general a.s.sembly." _Laws of Maryland since 1763_: 1777, sess. Feb.-Apr., ch. xviii.

~1778, Sept. 7. Pennsylvania: Act to Collect Back Duties.~

"An Act for the recovery of the duties on Negroes and Mulattoe slaves, which on the fourth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, were due to this state," etc. Dallas, _Laws_, I. 782.

~1778, October. Virginia: Importation Prohibited.~

"An act for preventing the farther importation of Slaves.

-- 1. "For preventing the farther importation of slaves into this commonwealth, _Be it enacted by the General a.s.sembly_, That from and after the pa.s.sing of this act no slave or slaves shall hereafter be imported into this commonwealth by sea or land, nor shall any slaves so imported be sold or bought by any person whatsoever.

-- 2. "Every person hereafter importing slaves into this commonwealth contrary to this act shall forfeit and pay the sum of one thousand pounds for every slave so imported, and every person selling or buying any such slaves shall in like manner forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred pounds for every slave so sold or bought," etc.

-- 3. "_And be it farther enacted_, That every slave imported into this commonwealth, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, shall, upon such importation become free."

-- 4. Exceptions are _bona fide_ settlers with slaves not imported later than Nov. 1, 1778, nor intended to be sold; and transient travellers.

Re-enacted in substance in the revision of October, 1785. For a temporary exception to this act, as concerns citizens of Georgia and South Carolina during the war, see Act of May, 1780. Hening, _Statutes_, IX. 471; X. 307; XII. 182.

~1779, October. Rhode Island: Slave-Trade Restricted.~

"An Act prohibiting slaves being sold out of the state, against their consent." t.i.tle only found. _Colonial Records_, VIII. 618; Arnold, _History of Rhode Island_, II. 449.

~1779. Vermont: Importation Prohibited.~

"An Act for securing the general privileges of the people," etc. The act abolished slavery. _Vermont State Papers, 1779-86_, p. 287.

~1780. Ma.s.sachusetts: Slavery Abolished.~

Pa.s.sage in the Const.i.tution which was held by the courts to abolish slavery: "Art. I. All men are born free and equal, and have certain, natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties," etc.

_Const.i.tution of Ma.s.sachusetts_, Part I., Art. 1; prefixed to _Perpetual Laws_ (1789).

~1780, March 1. Pennsylvania: Slavery Abolished.~

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~1761, April 22. Pennsylvania: Prohibitive Duty Act.~

"A Supplement to an act, ent.i.tuled An Act for laying a duty on Negroes and Mulattoe slaves, imported into this province." Continued in 1768.

Carey and Bioren, _Laws_, I. 371, 451; Bettle, _Notices of Negro Slavery_, in _Penn. Hist. Soc. Mem._ (1864), I. 388-9.

~1763, Nov. 26. Maryland: Additional 2 Duty Act.~

"An Act for imposing an additional Duty of Two Pounds per Poll on all Negroes Imported into this Province."

-- 1. All persons importing Negroes by land or water into this province, shall at the time of entry pay to the naval officer the sum of two pounds, current money, over and above the duties now payable by law, for every Negro so imported or brought in, on forfeiture of 10 current money for every Negro so brought in and not paid for. One half of the penalty is to go to the informer, the other half to the use of the county schools. The duty shall be collected, accounted for, and paid by the naval officers, in the same manner as former duties on Negroes.

-- 2. But persons removing from any other of his Majesty's dominions in order to settle and reside within this province, may import their slaves for carrying on their proper occupations at the time of removal, duty free.

-- 3. Importers of Negroes, exporting the same within two months of the time of their importation, on application to the naval officer shall be paid the aforesaid duty. Bacon, _Laws_, 1763, ch. xxviii.

~1763 (circa). New Jersey: Prohibitive Duty Act.~

"An Act for laying a duty on Negroes and Mulatto Slaves Imported into this Province." Disallowed (?) by Great Britain. _N.J. Archives_, IX.

345-6, 383, 447, 458.

~1764, Aug. 25. South Carolina: Additional 100 Duty Act.~

"An Act for laying an additional duty upon all Negroes hereafter to be imported into this Province, for the time therein mentioned, to be paid by the first purchasers of such Negroes." Cooper, _Statutes_, IV 187.

~1766, November. Virginia: Proposed Duty Act.~

"An act for laying an additional duty upon slaves imported into this colony."

-- 1. " ... from and after the pa.s.sing of this act there shall be levied and paid ... for all slaves imported or brought into this colony for sale, either by land or water from any port or place whatsoever, by the buyer or purchaser, after the rate of ten per centum on the amount of each respective purchase over and above the several duties already laid upon slaves imported or brought into this colony as aforesaid," etc. To be suspended until the king's consent is given, and then to continue seven years. The same act was pa.s.sed again in 1769. Hening, _Statutes_, VIII. 237, 337.

~1766. Rhode Island: Restrictive Measure (?).~

t.i.tle and text not found. Cf. _Digest_ of 1798, under "Slave Trade;"

_Public Laws of Rhode Island_ (revision of 1822), p. 441.

~1768, Feb. 20. Pennsylvania: Re-enactment of Acts of 1761.~

t.i.tles only found. Dallas, _Laws_, I. 490; _Colonial Records_ (1852), IX. 472, 637, 641.

~1769, Nov. 16. New Jersey: 15 Duty Act.~

"An Act for laying a Duty on the Purchasers of Slaves imported into this Colony."

"Whereas Duties on the Importation of Negroes in several of the neighbouring Colonies hath, on Experience, been found beneficial in the Introduction of sober, industrious Foreigners, to settle under His Majesty's Allegiance, and the promoting a Spirit of Industry among the Inhabitants in general: _In order therefore_ to promote the same good Designs in this Government, and that such as choose to purchase Slaves may contribute some equitable Proportion of the publick Burdens," etc.

A duty of "_Fifteen Pounds_, Proclamation Money, is laid." _Acts of a.s.sembly_ (Allinson, 1776), p. 315.

~1769 (circa). Connecticut: Importation Prohibited (?).~

t.i.tle and text not found. "Whereas, the increase of slaves is injurious to the poor, and inconvenient, therefore," etc. Fowler, _Historical Status of the Negro in Connecticut_, in _Local Law_, etc., p. 125.

~1770. Rhode Island: Bill to Prohibit Importation.~

Bill to prohibit importation of slaves fails. Arnold, _History of Rhode Island_ (1859), II. 304, 321, 337.

~1771, April 12. Ma.s.sachusetts: Bill to Prevent Importation.~

Bill pa.s.ses both houses and fails of Governor Hutchinson's a.s.sent.

_House Journal_, pp. 211, 215, 219, 228, 234, 236, 240, 242-3.

~1771. Maryland: Additional 5 Duty Act.~

"An Act for imposing a further additional duty of five pounds current money per poll on all negroes imported into this province." For seven years. _Laws of Maryland since 1763_: 1771, ch. vii.; cf. 1773, sess.

Nov.-Dec., ch. xiv.

~1772, April 1. Virginia: Address to the King.~

" ... The importation of slaves into the colonies from the coast of Africa hath long been considered as a trade of great inhumanity, and under its _present encouragement_, we have too much reason to fear _will endanger the very existence_ of your majesty's American dominions....

"Deeply impressed with these sentiments, we most humbly beseech your majesty to _remove all those restraints_ on your majesty's governors of this colony, _which inhibit their a.s.senting to such laws as might check so very pernicious a commerce_." _Journals of the House of Burgesses_, p. 131; quoted in Tucker, _Dissertation on Slavery_ (repr. 1861), p. 43.

~1773, Feb. 26. Pennsylvania: Additional 10 Duty Act.~

"An Act for making perpetual the act ... [of 1761] ... and laying an additional duty on the said slaves." Dallas, _Laws_, I. 671; _Acts of a.s.sembly_ (ed. 1782), p. 149.

~1774, March, June. Ma.s.sachusetts: Bills to Prohibit Importation.~

Two bills designed to prohibit the importation of slaves fail of the governor's a.s.sent. First bill: _General Court Records_, x.x.x. 248, 264; _Ma.s.s. Archives, Domestic Relations, 1643-1774_, IX. 457. Second bill: _General Court Records_, x.x.x. 308, 322.

~1774, June. Rhode Island: Importation Restricted.~

"An Act prohibiting the importation of Negroes into this Colony."

"Whereas, the inhabitants of America are generally engaged in the preservation of their own rights and liberties, among which, that of personal freedom must be considered as the greatest; as those who are desirous of enjoying all the advantages of liberty themselves, should be willing to extend personal liberty to others;--

"Therefore, be it enacted ... that for the future, no negro or mulatto slave shall be brought into this colony; and in case any slave shall hereafter be brought in, he or she shall be, and are hereby, rendered immediately free, so far as respects personal freedom, and the enjoyment of private property, in the same manner as the native Indians."