ticket from his or her Owner, Mafter, Employer, or Overfeer, expreffing particularly the time of fuch Slaves fetting out, and where or to what place he or he is going, and the time limited for his or her return, under a penalty not exceeding forty hillings for every offence, to be recovered from his or her Mafter, Owner, Employer, or Overfeer, unless fuch Owner, Employer, or Overfeer, fhall make oath that he or fhe did give to the faid Slave such ticket as aforefaid, or that the faid Slave went away without leave. tle with cut 19. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That no Negro or No Negro other Slave fhall be allowed to hunt any horned cattle, horfes, mares, mules, affes, haluat cator other animals, with lances, guns, cutlaffes, or other arms, unless in the company laffes, guns, of his Mafter, Overfeer, or fome other white perfon, or by his permiffion in writing; or other arms. and any Negro or other Slave who fhall offend contrary to the true intent and meaning of this Act, fhall fuffer fuch punishment by whipping as any two Juftices of the peace fhall think proper to inflict, not exceeding fifty lafhes. 20. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That if any free Negro, Mulatto, or Indian, in order to conceal any runaway Slave, or to prevent him or her from being apprehended, fhall give any fraudulent pafs or ticket to any fuch runaway Slave, he, the, or they fhall be deemed guilty of forgery, and fhall be liable to be profecuted and tried for the fame in the General Court, and upon conviction, fhall fuffer the lofs of freedom, tranfportation, or fuch other punishment as the Court fhall think proper to inflict, not extending to life or limb. upon con Free Negroes pas to or giving falle harbouring Slave, how dealt with. White per 21. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That if any fuch fons giving fradulent pafs or ticket fhall be given by any white perfon with intent as aforefaid, fraudulent fuch white perfon fhall be deemed guilty of forgery, and fhall be liable to be indicted and tried for the fame before the General Court, and shall suffer fuch punishment, by fine and imprisonment, as the Court fhall think proper to inflict. paffes to Slaves liable to be profecuted. 22. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That no No ticket to be granted ticket shall be granted to any Slave for any time exceeding one calendar to a slave for more than month. one month. Slaves abfconding from the fervice of any perfon, notice thereof fhall be given within fourteen days of the fame. 23. And be it further enacted, That every perfon from whofe fervice any Slave fhall abfcond, fhall within fourteen days thereafter give notice thereof by public advertisement, wherein fhall be inferted the name and defcription of any fuch Runaway, by means whereof he or she may be more easily known and apprehended; and in cafe the Owner fhall neglect fo to do, he or she shall not be entitled to any fatisfaction from the Treafury for any fuch Slave executed or transported by virtue of this Act, for any crime what ever. 24. And be it also enacted, That it shall not be lawful either to fell or buy any runaway Slave; and that any perfon buying or felling any fuch Slave while abfent, fhall forfeit the fum of thirty pounds. 25. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That all Slaves who fhall have been in these Inlands for the space of two years, and shall run away, and shall continue abfent for a term not exceeding fix months, fhall, upon conviction before any two Justices of the Peace, fuffer fuch punishment as the faid Juftices fhall think proper to inflict, not extending to life or limb. Runaway Slaves not to be fold or bought. Slaves being absent fix months, their punishment not to extend to life or limb. 26. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any Slave Slaves being abfent upwho fhall run away from his Owner or lawful Poffeffor, and be ablent for wards of fix months to be more than fix months, being duly convicted, fhall be fentenced to be tranf- tranfported for life or otherported for life, or fhall fuffer fuch other punishment, not extending to life or wife, but not to extend to limb, as the Court fhall think proper to inflict. life or limb. aways fhall 27. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any Slave who fhall Slaves harknowingly harbour or conceal any runaway Slave, fhall be liable to be tried for the bouring Run. fame as hereinafter directed, and upon conviction, thall fuffer fuch punishment as the be liable to be Court shall think proper to inflict, not extending to life or limb; and that any free tried for the perfon fame in the General Court. warded. perfon who fhall commit fuch offence may be indicted and profecuted for the fame in the General Court, and being convicted, fhall fuffer fuch punishment by fine and imprisonment as the Court fhall think proper, according to the magnitude of the offence; and fuch punishment is declared to be without prejudice to any action or fuit which may be brought by the party injured for recovery of damages for and on account of the fame. Slaves taking 28. And be it enacted by the authority aforefaid, That every Slave who shall take upRunaways, up any fuch Runaway, or inform against any perfon who fhall harbour or conceal &c. to be re-fuch runaway Slave, fo that fuch Runaway may be taken and restored to his or her Owner or Owners, fhall be entitled to fuch reward as any two Juftices of the Peace fhall think reasonable and juft, not exceeding three pounds, to be paid by fuch perfon or perfons as the faid Juftices fhall determine ought to pay the fame. Slaves abfenting ten days from their Owners or Employers 29. And whereas it is dangerous to the peace and fafety of the fe lands to fuffer Slaves to continue out as Runaways, and it is abfolutely neceffary to declare what Slaves fhall be deemed Runaways; be it therefore enacted and declared, That every Slave who fhall be abfent from his or her Owner or Employer without leave, for ten days together, and shall be found at the distance of eight miles from the house plantation, or fettlement, to which he or she belongs, without a ticket or permit to their Planta- pafs (except as before excepted, in going to or returning from market) fhall be tion, deemed deemed a Runaway. and found eight miles dittance from a Runaway. 30. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any free Perfon who Free perfons apprehending hall apprehend any runaway Slave fhall be entitled to receive from the Owner, Runaways Employer, Overfeer, or Manager of fuch Slave, the fum of twenty fhillings and no fhall be enti. more, befides mile money at the rate of two fhillings per mile for the first five miles, tled to 20s. and one fhilling per mile afterwards; provided fuch Slave or Slaves had abfented over and above mile- himself or herself ten days without the privity, knowledge, or confent of the Proprietor, Owner, or other white perfon refiding on the plantation or place to which fuch Slave fhall belong, which time of abfence fhall be declared on the oath of such Proprietor, Overfeer, or other white perfon as aforefaid, if required by the party taking up fuch Slave; but it is the true intent and meaning of this Act, that every Perfon who fhall apprehend any Slave that is actually run away fhall be entitled to the aforefaid reward, although fuch Slave fhall not be eight miles from home, or although the aforefaid term of ten days fhall not have elapfed. money. Slaves tak. another in actual rebel 31. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any Slave who fhall ing or killing take or kill another in actual rebellion, fhall receive from the Churchwardens of the parish in which any fuch Slave fhall have been killed the fum of five pounds, and lion to be re- ten pounds if taken alive, alfo a blue cloth coat with a red cross on the right fhoulder, the whole expences whereof fhall be reimbursed by the Receiver General for the time being, out of any money in his hands unappropriated. warded. Perfons kil the execution of this Act to give immediate infor mation. 32. And be it further enacted, That if any Slave fhall be killed by any person or ling Slaves in perfons in the execution of this Act, or under the authority of the fame, the perfon or perfons by whom fuch Slave may be killed, fhall, as speedily as may be, give information thereof to fome Juftice of the Peace, who is hereby required to take his examination, and allo the evidence or inforination of any other perfon or perfons refpecting the fame; and any white perfon or free perfon of colour killing fuch Slave, who fhall neglect forthwith to give the information hereby required, fhall forfeit and pay the fum of one hundred pounds. Perfons apprehending 33. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any perfon or per fons apprehending any runaway Slave, fhall convey him or her to his or her Owner, Slaves to Employer, or Manager, if refident on the land in which fuch Runaway shall have convey him, been apprehended, but if not therein refident, or if payment of the reward and other her, or them to proper charges hereinbefore mentioned fhail not be made, then to the nearest gaol or workplaces, house, the Keeper whereof is hereby authorized and required to receive fuch Slave agreeable to into his cuftody, and to pay the party delivering fuch Slave the fum of twenty fhillings, and mile money as aforefaid, and no more, under the penalty of five pounds; provided nevertheless, that no Gaoler or Workhousekeeper, fhall pay any fuch fum this Aû. Provifo. or or fums before fuch perfon fhall have taken an oath, which oath the Gaoler or Workhoufekeeper fhall file in his office, and produce, when thereunto required by the Owner or Poffefior of fuch Slave, under the penalty of five pounds, that the Slave fo apprehended was at the reputed diftance of eight miles from the houfe, plantation, orittlement, to which fuch Slave belongs (except as is before excepted) and that fuch Slave had no ticket or permit in writing from his or her Owner or Poffeffor, Employer or Overfeer, at the time of being apprehended, and that fuch Slave had been first carried to his or her Owner, Employer, or Manager (provided fuch Owner or Manager fhall be in the Ifland where fuch Slave fhall be apprehended) and that payment of the reward and charges aforefaid was neglected or refuled to be made. once a month cuftody. 34. And, to the end that the Owners and Proprietors of Slaves fo apprehended The Gaoler may obtain information of the goal or workhoufe in which they are confined, to advertite be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That the Keeper of every work- the names of houfe or goal shall and they are hereby required, once in every month, to advertise in Runaway the Bahama Gazette, or other public newspapers, and at the moft public place in Slaves in his the land on which faid Negro fhall be apprehended, the height, names, marks, and fex, and also the country (where the fame can be afcertained) of every runaway Slave then in his cuftody, and the time fuch Slave was put into his cuftody, and alfo the fame or names of the Owner or Owners thereof, if known, under the penalty of ten pounds for every neglect or omiffion, and for the expence of fuch advertifement, it fhall and may be lawful for the Keeper of every gaol or workhoufe to charge the Owner or Owners of each runaway Slave at and after the rate of twelve fhilings per month, and no more, and to detain any fuch Slave in cuftody until the fame, together with the charges of apprehenfion, and other fees and poundage, after the rate of two fhillings in the pound, fhall be paid, and alfo one fhilling for every twenty-four hours fuch Slave fhall have been in cuftody, for fubfiftence, and fixpence per day for medical care and extraordinary nourishment where neceffary; and the Gaoler, Workhousekeeper, or Supervifor, fhall atteft every such account upon oath. 35. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That the Keeper of every workhouse or gaol within thefe Iflands fhall provide and furnish every Slave confined in fuch workhouse or gaol, a fufficient quantity of good and wholefome provifions, according to the allowance hereinbefore required to be given upon plantations, under the penalty of ten pounds for every neglect. Gaolers to provide good and whole fo e provifions for Slaves in their cuftody. Slaves, after fold at public auction. 36. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That after any runaway Runaway Slave fhall have been in the cuftody of the Provost Marshal, or of the Keeper of any workhouse or gaol, and fhall have been duly advertised as aforefaid for the space tifed by the being adverof twelve calendar months, if no perfon fhall claim fuch Slave, and pay the fees and Gaoler 12 other monies hereinbefore directed, it fhall and may be lawful for the Provoft Mar- months, to be fhal, or for the Keeper of fuch gaol or workhoufe, to fell every fuch Slave at public outcry to the highest bidder, and that the monies arifing from fuch Slave fhall be applied in the first place towards payment of the expences of taking up, keeping, and advertising fuch Slave, together with all other fees and charges hereinbefore mentioned, and the overplus (if any) fhall be paid into the public Treafury, to be applied towards the contingent expences of this Government; and all receipts and bills of fale made by the Provoft Marshal, or the Keeper of any gaol or workhoufe (as the cafe may be) are hereby declared to convey a good and fufficient title to the Purchafer or Purchasers of any fuch Slave, and to be a bar of the right of the former Owner or Owners; provided always, that every fuch fale be at the ufual place of public auctions in the town of Naffau, between the hours of ten and twelve o'clock in the forenoon, that thirty days notice thereof be given in the Bahama Gazette, or other public newspaper, and that previous to every fuch fale, every fuch Slave be carried before a Magiftrate, who is hereby required to examine whether fuch Slave has been duly advertifed, and whether his or her marks and defcription agree with the advertisement, and to certify the fame if found accurate or fufficient. 119. 2 C 37. Gaoler not to any Runaway Slave. 37. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That no Gaoler or Workwork or lend houfekeeper fhall, on any pretence whatever, employ any Slave fent to his cuftody on any plantation belonging to him or in his poffeffion, nor hire nor lend any fuch Slave to work for any other perfon or perfons, under the penalty of fifty pounds for every offence. Slaves after having been confined, making their efcape, and being re taken, to be punished by whipping. 38. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any Negro or other Slave who fhall be confined in any workhoufe or other place of confinement, and shall escape there from before trial, or the expiration of his or her fentence, upon being retaken, and proof being made of his or her identity before any two Juftices of the Peace, fhall be adjudged to be fent back to confinement, and fhall receive punishment by whipping, not exceeding fifty lafhes. Slaves after being con fined, making their efc pe through neglect, Provolt Marthal or other officer 39. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That if the Provoft Marthal, or any of his deputies, or any Conftable, Gaoler, or Workhoufekeeper, fhall willingly or negligently fuffer any Slave to escape, neglecting the fame to for- fo that fuch Slave fhall not be retaken, fuch Marfhal, Conftable, Gaoler, feit £.20. or Workhousekeeper, fhall forfeit a fum not exceeding twenty pounds, without prejudice to the owner's action of damages. Slaves killed in defence Perfons fuffering an af femblage of Negroes to 40. And be it further enacted, That if any Negro or other Slave at any of his country, the Owner time of invafion, or appearance of an enemy, fhall be killed in the fervice to be paid out of the Treafury for the far.e. of the country, the Owner fhall be paid out of the public Treafury the full value of fuch Slave, to be afcertained by any two Juftices of the Peace. 41. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That if any Master, Owner, Guardian, or Attorney of any p'antation or fettlement, fhall fuffer any ftrange Slaves exceeding twelve in number, to affemble together, and beat their drums, or blow their horns or fhells, in any place under his, her, or their care or management, or fhall not endeavour to difperfe or prevent their meeting, by giving notice thereof to the next Magiftrate or commiffioned Officer, that a proper force may be fent for the purpose, every Mafter, Owner, Guardian, or Attorney, fhail forfeit for every fuch offence the fum of fifty pounds, provided information of fuch offence be given upon oath within five days after the commiffion of fuch offence. cause the fame to be difperfed. Officers authorised to enter any place whatfoever to difpe fe any unlawful affembly of Negroes. 42. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That all Officers, civil and military, thall be and they are hereby empowered and required to enter into any place whatever, in order to difperfe any unlawful affembly of Slaves, and to fupprefs and prevent all riotous unlawful drumming or other noife; any law, cuftom, or ulage to the contrary notwithstanding. 43. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any Slaves who fhall' hereafter be found to have concealed in his or her house, or otherwise in his or her poffeffion, any fire-arms, gunpowder, flugs or ball, fhali, on conviction before two be punished. Juftices, fuffer fuch punishment as the faid Juftices fhall think proper to inflict by Slaves found concealing arms, ammu nition, &c. to Slaves Arik ing or offer whipping. 44. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any Slave who shall offer violence by ftriking or otherwife, to any white perfon, fhall be punished with ing any violence to any death, transportation, or fuch other punifliment as the Court fhall think proper to white perton, inflict, provided fuch conflict or friking be not by command of the Owner of fuch Slave, or of his or her Attorney, Overfeer, or other perfon having authority over fuch Slave, or in the lawful defence of his Owner's perfon or goods. to fuffer death, &c. Slaves mixing 45. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That if any Negro or or preparing other Slave fhall mix or prepare, with intent to give any poifon or poifonous drug, poilon fhall or fhall actually give or caufe to be given any fuch poifon or poisonous drug, although 1. ff.r death or transpordeath may not enfue from the taking thereof, fuch Slave, together with all and every tation. acceffary and acceffaries, as well before as after the fact, (being Slaves) being thereof duly convicted, fhall fuffer death, transportation for life, or fuch other punishment as the Court fhall think proper. 46. And freth meat to be punished. 45. And whereas horned cattle, fheep, horfes, mares, mules, and affes, are fre- Slaves havquently stolen and killed by Negro and other Slaves in fo fecret and private a manner, leady in their ing fraudis to render conviction very difficult; for prevention thereof, be it further enacted, poffeffion That if any Negro or other Slave or Slaves fhall fraudulently have in his, her, or their poffeffion, any fresh beef, mutton, or veal, or the flesh of any horfe, mare, mule, or afs, in any quantity exceeding five and not exceeding twenty-eight pounds weight, every fuch Negro or other Slave fhall, upon conviction before any two Juftices of the Peace, be whipped in fuch manner as fuch Juftices fhall direct, not exceeding thirty-nine lafhes; and if there fhall be found fraudulently as aforefaid in his, her, or their cuftody or poffeffion, a larger or greater quantity than forty-eight pounds weight of fuch beef or other flesh, that then every fuch Negro or other Slave fhall fuffer fuch punishment as the Juftices fhall think proper to inflict, not extending to life or limb. 47. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That if any Negro or Slaves stealother Slave fhall feloniously steal any horned cattle, fheep, goat, hog, horse, mare, ing cattle to gelding, mule, or afs, or hall kill any fuch horned cattle, fheep, goat, hog, horfe, be punithed, mare, gelding, mule, or afs, with intent to fteal the fame, or any part of the flesh thereof, fuch Negro or other Slave shall suffer death, or fuch other punishment as the Court fhall think proper to inflict. Slaves going off in veffels or other craft nished. 48. And whereas feveral Slaves have lately found means to depart from thefe Islands, to the great damage of their Owners, and to the evil example of other Slaves who may thereby be induced to attempt or confpire to do the fame; and whereas to be tranfthere is reafon to fufpect that Slaves have been aided and affifted in their departure ported or by other perfons, and no adequate punishments are provided by law for fuch otherwife pu. offences; for remedy thereof, be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That if any Negro or other Slave, fhall run away from his or her Owner or Owners, Employer or Employers, and go off, or confpire and attempt to go off these Islands in any ship, boat, canoe, or other veffel or craft whatsoever, or be aiding, abetting, or affifting to any other Slave or Slaves in deferting and going off the fe Inlands, he, fhe, or they fo running or going off, or confpiring and attempting to go off, or aiding, affiting, or abetting in fuch going off, being thereof convicted, fhall fuffer tranfportation, or fuch other punishment as the Court fhall think proper to inflict, not extending to life or limb. 49. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That if any free Negro, Indian, or Mulatto, fhall be aiding, affifting, and abetting any Slave or Slaves in deferting and going off thefe Iflands, and fhall be thereof convicted, he, fhe, or they fhall be fubject to be tranfported from thefe Iflands by the Provoft Marshal, or his deputy, and any fuch Perfon fo convicted, fentenced, and tranfported, who fhall afterwards be found at large within these Islands, fhall fuller death without benefit of Clergy. Slaves abetting any other Slaves in de ferting, to be tranfported; and if found afterwards in thefe Iflands to suffer death. 50. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any white perfon White perwho fhall knowingly be aiding, affilting, or abetting any Slave in deferting and going fons affifting off thefe Iflands, fhall forfeit the fum of £. 100, and fhall alfo fuffer imprifonment a Slave to defor any space of time not exceeding twelve months, without bail or mainprize; and fert to forfeit fuch punishment is declared to be without prejudice to any fuit or action which may be brought or had by the party injured for the recovery of damages for and on account of the fame. L. 100. in going off,to 51. And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That it fhall and may be Perfons affiftlawful to proceed against the perfon or perfons fo aiding, affifling, or abetting fuching any Slave Slave or Slaves in going off thefe Iflands, whether the principal or principals be convicted or not; any thing in this or any other Act, or any law, ulage, or custom, to the contrary notwithstanding. 52. And be it further enacted, That no Negro or other Slave fhall, on any pretence, barter or carry about for fale or barter any dry goods of any kind whatever, and it it fhall and may be lawful for any white Perion to take and feize all fuch goods, and to deliver them to the Provoft Marfhal, or his deputy, who fhail forthwith fell 119. be proceeded againft, whether the principal be con victed or not. No Slave to for Sale any dry goods of any kind. |