Apprehending Servants and Slaves

Whereas it hath beene by dayly experience found that many great mischiefs have risen in this island to the particular Masters of familyes by wandering of servants & slaves, one Sundayes, Saturdayes in the afternoone, and other dayes, wherein the said servants and slaves doe not worke, And in such tymes, as they can gett out of their Masters plantations, by stealing and filching their Masters good and provisions, bartering and selling the same, for, Remidie whereof be it enacted and odrayned, by the Governro and Councell, that every person that shall after publication hereof, absent themselfe out of his Måsters plantacon not haveing his lysense in writing, under the hand of his said Master or Overseer for the same shall upon conviction thereof, Before any Justice of the peace within this Island, for every two hours absence bee ajudged to serve his Master one whole month, After his tyme by Indenture or Custome is expired and see in proportion for a Longer or Lesser tyme of such absence, And further bee it enacted and ordayned by the Authority afforesaid that it shall bee Lawfull for all Masters of families, and Overseers are hereby required to apprehend all Negroes whatsoever, soe wandering without his Master or Mistress tyckett or overseer lycense, and them soe apprehended Moderately to whip or correct, which being done they are to returne them with a gaurd [?] to their Master or Mistress plantation, and shall receive for the same what shall bee awarded by the next Justice of the peace Butt in case the owner of such servant is not knowne they are then to convey them and committ them to the custodie of the provost Marshall, Given and my hand the 15 day of November 1661.