Page:A dissertation on slavery - with a proposal for the gradual abolition of it, in the state of Virginia. (IA dissertationonsl00tuckrich).pdf/71

 slaves have been or may be emancipated; and the legal consequences thereof, in this state.—Manumission, among the Israelites, if the bondman were an Hebrew, was enjoined after six years’ service, by the Mosaical law, unless the servant chose to continue with his master, in which case the master carried him before the judges, and took an awl, and thrust it through his ear into the door, and from thenceforth he became a servant for ever: but if he sent him away free, he was bound to furnish him liberally out of his stock, and out of his floor, and out of his wine-press. Among the Romans, in the time of the commonwealth, liberty could he conferred only three ways. By testament, by the census, and by the vindicta, or lictor’s rod. A mam was said to be free by the census, “liber censu,” when his name was inserted in the censor’s roll, with the approbation of his master. When he was freed by the vindicta, the master placing his hand upon the head of the slave, said in the presence of the prætor, it is my desire that this man may be free, “hunc hominem liberem esse volo;” to which the prætor replied, I pronounce him free after the manner of the Romans, “dico cum liberum esse more quiritum.”