Page:Session Laws of North Carolina, April, 1777.pdf/17

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HEREAS the evil and pernicious Practice of freeing Slaves in this State, ought at this alarming and critical Time to be guarded againt by every Friend and Wellwiher to his Country.

II. BE it therefore Enacted, by the General Aembly of the State of North-Carolina, and by the Authority of the ame, that no Negro or Mulatto Slave hall hereafter be et free, except for meritorious Services, to be adjudged of and allowed by the County Court, and Licence firt had and obtained thereupon. And when any Slave is or hall be et free by his or her Mater or Owner otherwie than is herein before directed, it hall and may be lawful for any Freeholder in this State to apprehend and take up uch Slave, and delivery him or her to the Sheriff of the County, who on receiving uch Slave, hall give uch Freeholder a Receipt for the ame; and the Sheriff hall commit all uch Slaves to the Gaol of the County, there to remain until the next Court to be held for uch County; and the Court of the County hall order all uch confined Slaves to be old during the Term to the highet Bidder.

III. PROVIDED always, That the Sheriff, upon committing any uch Slave or Slaves, hall at leat Five Days before uch Sale, give Notice in Writing to the lat Owner or Owners, or the reputed Owner or Owners of uch Slave or Slaves, of the Time and Place of Sale, and of the Name and Names of uch Slaves, to the End that uch Owner or Owners may, if he or they think proper, make his or their Claim to the ame; but if uch Owner or Owners hall neglect or refue to appear on the Day of Sale (due Proof of the Service of uch Notice being made to the Satisfaction of the Court) uch Owner or Owners o neglecting or refuing, hall be for ever barred from making any Claim to uch Slaves.

IV. AND be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforeaid, That the neat Proceeds of the Money ariing by uch Sale hall be dipoed of in the following Manner, that is to ay, That one fifth Part thereof hall be paid to the Takers up of uch Negroes or Mulattoes, and that the remaining Part of uch Money be paid into the Hands of the Public Treaurers, to defray the contingent Charges of Government, and to no other Intent, Ue or Purpoe, whatoever.

V. AND be it Enacted, by the Authority aforeaid, That if any Slave or Slaves hall hereafter be allowed by his or her Mater, Mitres, or Overeer, or other Peron having the Care of uch Slave or Slaves, to hire out him or herelf, uch Slave may be taken up by any Magitrate or Freeholder, and kept to hard Labour, for the Ue of the Poor of the County, for any Time not exceeding Twenty Days; any Law, Uage or Cutom to the contrary, notwithtanding. Rh