An Act to continue an Act to prevent the people called Quakers, from bringing Negroes to their Meetings

(Clause I.) Be it enacted by his Excellency, Sir Johnathon Atkins, Knight, Captain General, and chief Governor of this and other the Caribbee-Islands, the Council and the Representatives of this Island, and by the Authority aforesaid, That an Act bearing date the one and twentieth day of April, one thousand six hundered seventy six, intitled, "An Act to prevent the People called Quakers, from bringing Negroes to their Meetings," and all and every the Clauses, Sentences, Articles, Branches, Penalties and Provisoes therein contained, except what is hereafter expressed, shall be and hereby is declared to be and continue, and have their full strength and force, according to the intent and purport thereof, and shall be so adjudged, deemed and taken to all intents and purposes whatsoever, for and during the space of two years, from and after the date of this present Act.

And whereas by the said recited Act it is enacted and appointed, that in case such Negro or Negroes, that shall happen to be at the said Meetings of the Quakers, and belong to any of the said people called Quakers, such Negroes shall be recovered as forfeit, to him that shall inform and prosecute at Law; one half to the Informer and the other half to the public use of this Island, as by the said recited Act more at large appears. Now it is enacted hereby, and declared by the Authority aforesaid, that where any Negro or Negroes, shall be at any such Meetings as aforesaid, any person or persons may bring an Action or Actions grounded upon this and the said Stature, against any of the persons present at such Meetings as aforesaid, at the election of the Informer, for the sum of ten pounds sterling, for every such Negro or Negroes, let the same belong to Quakers or any others; to be sued for, and recovered in the same method and form, and divided in such manner as is provided by the said recited Act.

And whereas by the said Act it is also enacted, that no person whatsoever, that is not an Inhabitant and resident of this Island, and been so for the space of twelve months together, shall publicly Discourse or Preach at the Meetings of the Quakers, upon penalty of forfeiting and suffering as in the said recited Act is expressed: It is hereby enacted and declared [103] by the Authority aforesaid, That if any person whatsoever, whether Inhabitant of this Island or other, shall after publication hereof, presume publicly to Discourse or Preach at any the said Meetings of the said People called Quakers, shall forfeit and suffer in the same manner, as in the said recited Act is provided against such as are not Inhabitants for such offence: And the penalties to be recovered in the same method, and divided in the same manner as in the said Act is provided. And the persons that shall offend against the said or this Act to be committed to Gaol for the time in the said Act appointed, by Warrant from the Judge of the Court for that Precinct where the recovery of the forfeiture shall be made.

Passed April 17th 1678