An Act, intituled, “An Act to extend the time limited by the Act for the registry of Slaves in this Island; and to indemnify such persons as may have failed in making their Returns within the time prescribed by that Act, and for other purposes.”

WHEREAS it has been found that several persons have from various causes, unintentionally failed in giving in their general return of slaves within the period required by the Registry Act, and have since presented them for registration, but which returns the treasurer is not authorized to receive, whereby such persons have become liable to the heavy fines and penalties imposed by the aforesaid Act, and without such returns, the general Registry of Slaves in this Island could not be made complete; for the remedy of such persons, and for obtaining a more complete primary general return,---

Clause 1st. Be it and it is hereby enacted and ordained by the Governor, the Council and Assembly of this Your Majesty’s Island of Dominica, that from and after the publication of this Act, the treasurer is hereby authorized and required to receive all returns made to him in manner and form required by the Registry Act, until the first day of October, next ensuing and no longer; and all such persons as may hereafter tender their return of slaves, on or before the first day of October as aforesaid, shall be and they are hereby fully indemnified, acquitted, and set free from all fines, pains, and penalties by the individually incurred by the Registry Act, and from all suits in respect thereof; and the Treasurer is hereby authorized and required to record all such returns as if they had been made in the time prescribed by the [2] Registry Act: Provided always, that nothing hereinafter contained shall exempt or exonerate from all and every fine or fines imposed by the said Registry Act on every person or persons who may neglect or refuse delivering in their return of slaves for registration, after the said first day of October next ensuing.

And whereas it has been found impossible to procure in these Islands blank books of sufficient size and substantial binding, wherein to record in a clear, distinct, and permanent manner, the general Registry of Slaves, and that the treasurer will be compelled to send to England for books for that purpose, whereby the time may expire at which such record is directed to be completed before they can be procured;---

Clause 2d. Be it and it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the further term of four months shall be and is hereby granted to the treasurer to complete such record, free and exempt from all fines and penalties imposed on him by the said Registry Act, provided he shall complete such record within the further extended time. 

Passed the House of Assembly, July the twenty-ninth, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen.

(Signed)               John Henry Newman, Clerk of the Assembly.

                                                W. Anderson, Speaker.

Passed the Board of Council, this sixth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen.

J.H. Garraway, Acting Clerk of the Council.

Assented to by his Excellency, this sixth day of August one thousand eight hundred and seventeen.

Charles W. Maxwell.

Passed the Patent Office the same day.

By Command, J. M. Williams, Gov. Sec. and Clk Pats

Duly proclaimed in the town of Roseau, this seventh day of August one thousand eight hundred and seventeen.

Henry Trew, P.M.