A further Additional Clause to the Act intituled, An Act for the further and better regulating Negroes and other Slaves; and for the more effectual and speedy Way of prosecuting them in Criminal Causes

Whereas in the said Act it is enacted, That if any Negro or other Slave shall be found guilty of stealing the Value of Twelve Pence Sterling, or above; or that shall attempt to steal from any the Inhabitants of these Islands, Stock, or other Goods, of above or under the Value aforesaid, thereby putting such Inhabitants, or some of their Family, in Terror, Dread, or Jepardy [sic?] of their Lives, that such their Cries shall be esteemed Felony, and are to be tried as in the said Act is expressed:

And whereas sundry Negroes have done, and still do cut, steal, and destroy the Palmetto-Tops and Trees in these Islands to a considerable Value, yet their Punishment, when convicted, amounts to no more than whipping; wherefore in Order to prevent (if possible) the total Destruction of the said Trees, and the Expirtation of Tops; We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Assembly of these your Majesty's Bermuda or Summer Islands in America, do most humbly beseech your Majesty, that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by your Majesty's Lieutenant Governor, Council, and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted and ordained by the Authority of the same, That from and after Publication hereof, if any Negro, or other Slave whatsoever, shall be found guilty of cutting, or stealing any Top or Tops, or that shall have any Top or Tops, or Palmetto-Strings of any Sort, and cannot render a satisfactory Account to such Person or Persons discovering the same, that then such Negro or other Slave, so stealing or having the same in their Possession unlawfully, shall be deemed Felons, and be tried, heard, adjudged, and sentenced as in all Cases of Felony by Virtue of the abovementioned Act in every Respect.

And that this Additional Clause be and continue in full force for and during the Continuance of the said Act, and published with the same at the particular ties therein mentioned.