An act to repeal an act entitled, ‘An act to regulate the sales of newly-imported negroes; and to prevent, as far as possible, the separation of different branches of the same family;’ and to regulate the sales of newly-imported negroes; and to prevent, as far as possible, the separation of different branches of the same family.

WHEREAS inconveniencies have arisen by selling cargoes of new negroes in the manner directed by an act entitled, An act to regulate the sales of newly imported negroes; and to prevent, as far as possible, the separation of different branches of the same family: We, your majesty’s dutiful and loyal subjects the assembly of this your majesty’s island of Jamaica, do most humbly beseech your majesty that it may be enacted; Be it therefore enacted by the lieutenant-governor, council, and assembly, of the said island, and it is hereby enacted and ordained by the authority of the same, That the above recited act be, and it is hereby, repealed and made void; and the same is hereby repealed, made void, and annulled, to all intents and purposes whatsoever; any thing in the said law contained to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding. 

II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That, from and after the passing of this act, no merchant, factor, supercargo, or consignee, of any cargoe of slaves, arriving in any of the ports of this island, shall hereafter expose such cargo to sale on board the ship or other vessel in which the same is imported; but shall procure or hire, or cause to be procured or hired, a proper and commodious house, or covered inclosure or shed, which shall be well and sufficiently aired and lighted, wherein the said slaves shall be arranged for sale, under the penalty of five hundred pounds.

III. And, in order to prevent, as far as possible, the separation of different branches of the same family, be it further enacted, That the merchant or factor by whom the sales are conducted shall, on clearing the ship or other vessel, and paying the duties, make oath, under a like penalty, that, in the sale, he has done his utmost to class and sell together mothers and their children, and brothers and sisters.

IV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the penalties laid by this act shall be recovered, by bill, plaint, or information, in the supreme court of judicature of this island, by any person who shall sue for the same, wherein no essoin, imparlance, or wager of law, or non vult ulterius prosequi, shall be granted or allowed; the half of such penalties to be to our sovereign lord the king, his heirs and successors, for and towards the contingent charges and expences of this island, and the other half to the informer, or the person who shall sue for the same.