An Act Encouraging the importation of White Servants.

Forasmuch as it is provided in an Act of this Country, Intituled, An Act for Regulating Servants, for the strengthening and better Defence of this his Majesties Island, every Master and Owner of Slaves shall have such quantity of White Servants proportionable to the Number of Slaves as is therein directed, and as by the said Act doth more plainly appear; and to the intent also all due Encouragement may be given Merchants, Masters, and Importers of White Servants to bring the same, and may not then be discouraged, nor their Servants lie upon their Hands for want of Buyers.

 

[Clause 1] Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That no Merchant, Master, or Importer of White Servants, shall presume to Sell any White Servant or Servants, before they have been Ten Days Imported, under the Penalty of Ten Pounds for every such Servant so Sold, the one Moyety to be to our Soveraign Lord the King, his Heirs and Successors, for and towards the Support of the Government of this Island, and the contingent Charges thereof, the other Moyety to the Informer, to be Recovered by Bill, Plaint, or Information in any Court of Record within this Island, wherein no Essoign, Protection, or Wage of Law shall be allowed. Provided nevertheless, That for the Ten Days after Importation of any such White Servants, as abovesaid, the Factor or Seller shall pay the Master for their Diet above the Ship; nor shall they be removed by the said Master from thence before the Ten Days be past, under the Penalty aforesaid, to be Recovered and Disposed of as aforesaid. 

 

[Clause 2] And be it likewise enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That whatsoever Master or Commander of any Ship or Vessel that shall bring in or Import into this Island to the Number of fifty White Male Servants, and due proof upon Oath being thereof made before the Naval Officer, (who is hereby empowered to administer the same) shall for that Voyage be altogether freed and exempted from paying any port Charges for the said Ship or Vessel, wherein the said Servants shall be Imported, any other Custom or Law to the contrary notwithstanding. 

 

[Clause 3] And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That any Debt or Debts contracted for any Servant or Servants Sold within this Island, shall or may be Recovered by Warrant from any Justice of the Peace, in the same manner as is provided in the Act impowering Justices of the Peace to decide Differences not exceeding Forty Shillings, any Law, Custom, or Usage heretofore to the contrary notwithstanding. 

 

[Clause 4] And it is also hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the Twenty Fifth Day of March next ensuing, no Person or Persons whatsoever, employing themselves in the Trades or Exercises of Coopers or Porters within this Island, shall use any Negro Slave or Slaves in their said Trades or Occupations, under the Penalty of Twenty Pounds for every such Offence, to be Recovered and Disposed of as aforesaid. 

 

Provided also, That nothing be herein Construed to prohibit any Master or Owner of any Sugar-Work within this Island from making Cask at their respective Plantations, or other convenient place, as heretofore, any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding.