An Additional Clause to the Act intituled, An Act for the further and better regulating Negroes and Slaves, and for the more effectual and speedy Way of prosecuting them (1731) in Criminal Causes

Whereas the Impudence of Negroes and Slaves of late has been such, as to stab, strike, and threaten several White Persons; for Prevention of which for the future, We, 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 Governour, Council, and Assembly, and hereby it is enacted an ordained by the Authority of the same, That from and after Publication hereof, if any Negro, or other Slave, shall stab, strike, or threaten to stab or strike any White Person or Persons, that then every such Negro or Slave, stabbing, striking, or threatening or attempting to stab or strike, shall for every such Offence be examined, heard, tried, and adjudged by Force of the Act aforementioned; and that the Justices and Freeholders in the said Act expressed, shall, and have hereby full Power and Authority to punish such offending Slave or Slaves with Death, or otherwise, as they in their Discretion shall see fit.

And, that the Justices and Freeholders for every Refusal or Neglect are subject to the Penalties and Forfeitures in the said Act mentioned and expressed; 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 Times therein mentioned.