Page:Notices of Negro slavery as connected with Pennsylvania.djvu/51

Rh The Act of 1705 was entitled, "An Act to prevent the importation of Indian slaves." "If, after the 25 March, 1706, any person shall import or cause to be imported any Indian slaves or servants whatsoever, from any province or colony in America into this province, by land or water," * * * they "shall be forfeited to the governor, and shall be either set at liberty, or otherwise disposed of as the governor and council shall see cause." The Act made an exception in favor of "menial servants in the family of the importer," &c, &c.Bradford Laws, Philadelphia, 1714. "An Impost Act, laying a duty on negroes, wine, rum, and other spirits, cider, and vessels," passed 28th, 12th month, 1710. Imposed for the space of three years, from and after the 10th day of March, 1710, a duty of forty shillings per head on every negro imported, excepting such as belonged to persons residing in the province and importing for their own service, and in case of failure to pay such duties under certain limitations, such negroes so landed, if taken, " shall be forfeited and seized, and after due proof," sold "for the utmost the same will fetch."

"An Act to prevent the importation of negroes and Indians into the province," passed in 1712. The first section imposed a payment of twenty pounds per head upon every negro or Indian brought into the province. 2. Masters of vessels, &c., bringing them were required to make a return of their number and to whom they belonged; "all such negroes and Indians" (in whose case any of the provisions were violated) "shall be seized and sold by the said officer for the time being (hereinafter named), and the monies arising thereby shall be paid to the provincial treasurer for the uses hereinafter directed." Duties paid upon any negro or Indian imported, but to be exported within twenty days, were to be returned; all such were to be "actually and bona fide forthwith shipt off or sent out of the province, so as never to return again, without complying anew with the direction of this Act, otherwise all such negroes and Indians shall be liable to the same penalties and seizures as tho' the same had never before been entered." 3. Samuel Holt appointed "to put Act in execution, and shall by virtue hereof have full power to make strict enquiry into the premises, and upon information or other probable cause of suspicion, without any further or other warrant, may [upon the parties' refusal], with