An ACT to revive and extend an Act, entitled an Act to prohibit the importation of Slaves from Africa, or other places beyond sea, into this State, for two years; and also to prohibit the importation or bringing in of Negro Slaves, Mulattoes, Indians, Moors, or Mustezoes, bound foe a term of years, from any of the United States, by land or water.

An ACT to revive and extend an Act, entitled an Act to prohibit the importation of Slaves from Africa, or other places beyond sea, into this State, for two years; and also to prohibit  the importation or bringing in of Negro Slaves, Mulattoes, Indians, Moors, or Mustezoes, bound foe a term of years, from any of the United States, by land or water.

BE it enacted by the honorable the senate and the house of representatives, now met and sitting in general assembly, and by the authority of the same, That an act, entitled “an act to prohibit the importation of slaves from Africa, or other places beyond sea, into this state, for two years; and also to prohibit the importation or bringing in of negro slaves, mulattoes, Indians, Moors, or mustezoes, bound for a term of years, from any of the United States, by land or water,” be and the same is hereby extended until the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall not be lawful at any time hereafter, for any slave, or free negro, mulattoe, or mustezoe, or other person of colour, whether bond or free, to be imported or brought into this state, or to land or enter the state, from the Bahamas or West-India islands, or from any other part of the continent of America, without the limits of the United States, or from other parts beyond sea: And all and every slave and slaves, which shall be imported, or brought aforesaid, upon landing or being landed, or conducted within this state, shall be, and the same are hereby declared to be forfeited; and the governor is hereby authorized, and required, to transport the said slave, and sell him, or her (one half of the proceeds for the benefit of the State, and the other half to the informer: ) and moreover, the person or persons, who shall import, or bring in such slave or slaves, upon being convicted thereof, shall forfeit and pay to the state the sum of fifty pounds, for each slave so unlawfully imported, or brought in; and the ship, or vessel, or other vehicle, by which such slaves shall be so unlawfully imported, or brought in, is hereby declared responsible for paying the same, and shall forwith be taken possession of, for and on behalf of the state, unless the offender or offenders, or some other person or persons, will before some judge or magistrate, enter into bond and good security, to the state, for the payment of such penalty, together with costs and charges, as shall be adjudged to be forfeited, under cr[?] by virtue of this act. And if any free negro, mulattoe or mustezo, or other person of colour, bond or free, from any of the places or parts aforesaid, shall land or enter this state, of their own accord, they, and each of them, shall immediately be apprehended and committed to gaol; and notice of such commitment shall immediately be given to the governor of the state, who is hereby required to cause such person, or persons, to be transported to the place from whence they came, or such other place as he may deem most advisable. And to provide for the maintenance of such persons, during their necessary confinement (should they not have wherewith to support themselves) it shall and may be lawful for the sheriff and gaoler, to compel them to such reasonable labour as may be conveniently provided for them.

In the Senate House, the 20th day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, and in the nineteenth year of the independence of the United States of America.

                                    David Ramsay,

                                                President of the Senate,

                                    Jacob Read,

                                                Speaker of the House of Representatives.