An Act obliging the Inhabitants of this Island to keepe and maynetayne Christian Men Servants

Forasmuch as it is of very greate Importance unto his Majesty’s Affaires in these parts of the World that this his Island of Antigua should be well peopled To the end that it may not onely serve it selfe against foreigne Invasion, but alsoe be able to propagate his Majesty’s designes on this side the Tropicke, And whereas nothing cann be of greater Consequence to the speedy strengthening and peopling thereof then by Giving all just Encouragement to the Merchants and Traders of this Island to bring and Land store of Christian Men servants and to oblige the Inhabitants to buy and purchase of them, when they shall be bought at such a reasonable Rate as have beene usuall and accustomed in this place, And for as much as Men and Armes are the onely stay support and security of all places in time of Wares, and will be as props and pillars to promote and Encourage Trade in time of peace. 

Wherefore It is ordered Declared and Enacted by the Governor Councill and Representatives of this Island that from and after publication hereof All persons Inhabitting and residing upon the same who are Owners proprietors or Masters in their owne right, or Agente Attorney’s or others in the Right of others of Tenne working Negroe Men or Women such as are or ought to be Listed for the payment of the present Governor's Dues according to an Acte in that Case made and provided shall from time to time keep and maynetayne one able Christian Man servant for the Ends aforesaid for every such Tenne Negroe men or Women as hee or they shall possesse, And that from time to time as aforesaid, And that in regard many of the Inhabitants of this Island cannot for this yeare provide themselves with Men servants preportonable and pursuant, to this Acte That then all such as shall be soe [illegible], and until they shall be provided with servants according to the true intent and meaning of this Acte shall in the respective Divisions where they Inhabitte and dwell maynetayne from time to time As they shall be ordered by the Millitary officers under whence they shall be listed, or in whose Division they dwell and Inhabitt maynetayne upon the Guards respectively and according to the several articles made upon the said Guards proportionably after the Rate of one Christian Man for every Tenne Negroes soe possessed and enjoyed as aforesaid any Law Custome or usage to the contrary notwithstanding Dated at the Savanna the fifth day of July, One thousand six hundred seaventy and seaven.