An Act to prevent more effectually Slaves absenting themselves from the service of their masters, owners or renters.

WHEREAS it has of late been the practice of the negroes upon some estates in this Island, to absent themselves in gangs from the service of their masters, owners or renters, to the evil example of others and the terror and danger of the inhabitants of this Island; BE it therefore enacted by His Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the captain general and governor in chief of His Majesty’s Island of Tobago, and the council and general assembly of the same, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That from and after the publication of this Act, if any slave or slaves shall absent themselves without tickets, or run away in any number or gang, amounting to two or more, from any plantation to which such slaves belong, or if not belonging to a plantation, shall absent themselves without tickets, or run away from their masters, owners or renters, in gangs amounting to two or more, for any space of time whatever, one or more of the said slaves, such as shall appear to be ringleaders and the greatest offenders, shall suffer death, or such other punishment as the persons appointed to try slaves under and by virtue of an Act intituled, “An Act for the good order and government of Slaves; and for repealing an Act of this Island, intituled, “An Act for the good order and government of Slaves, and for keeping them under proper restraint for establishing the method of trial in capital cases, and other regulations for the greater security of that part of the inhabitants property,” shall direct; and the remainder of such slaves shall suffer such whipping or other punishment as such persons shall think proper to order.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That any slave or slaves offending against this Act, shall be subject and liable to be apprehended and tried in the same manner, and in the same court of justices and freeholders, as slaves are made subject and liable to be apprehended and tried, under and by virtue of the above recited Act.

And be it and it is hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, That there shall be paid to the provost marshal or his lawful deputy, four shillings and sixpence currency, for each, and no more, for receiving into, and letting out of gaol, any slave or slaves committed by virtue of this Act.

Alexander Buchanan, Speaker.

Passed the House of Assembly this twenty-eighth day of October one thousand eight hundred and seven. Neil Stewart, Clerk of the Assembly.

Passed the Council, this fourth day of November one thousand eight hundred and seven. W. Young, Governor.

Proclaimed, this ninth day of November one thousand eight hundred and seven.

W. Smith, Dep. Pro. Marshal.