overnor's assent. First bill: _General Court Records_, XXX. 248, 264;
_Mass. Archives, Domestic Relations, 1643-1774_, IX. 457. Second bill:
_General Court Records_, XXX. 308, 322.

~1774, June. Rhode Island: Importation Restricted.~

"An Act prohibiting the importation of Negroes into this Colony."

"Whereas, the inhabitants of America are generally engaged in the
preservation of their own rights and liberties, among which, that of
personal freedom must be considered as the greatest; as those who are
desirous of enjoying all the advantages of liberty themselves, should be
willing to extend personal liberty to others;--

"Therefore, be it enacted ... that for the future, no negro or mulatto
slave shall be brought into this colony; and in case any slave shall
hereafter be brought in, he or she shall be, and are hereby, rendered
immediately free, so far as respects personal freedom, and the enjoyment
of private property, in the same manner as the native Indians."

"Provided that the slaves of settlers and travellers be excepted.

"Provided, also, that nothing in this act shall extend, or be deemed to
extend, to any negro or mulatto slave brought from the coast of Africa,
into the West Indies, on board any vessel belonging to this colony, and
which negro or mulatto slave could not be disposed of in the West
Indies, but shall be brought into this colony.

"Provided, that the owner of such negro or mulatto slave give bond to
the general treasurer of the said colony, within ten days after such
arrival in the sum of L100, lawful money, for each and every such negro
or mulatto slave so brought in, that such negro or mulatto slave shall
be exported out of the colony, within one year from the date of such
bond; if such negro or mulatto be alive, and in a condition to be
removed."

"Provided, also, that nothing in this act shall extend, or be deemed to
extend, to any negro or mulatto slave that may be on board any vessel
belonging to this colony, now at sea, in her present voyage." Heavy
penalties are laid for bringing in Negroes in order to free them.
_Colonial Records_, VII. 251-3.

[1784, February: "It is voted and resolved, that the whole of the clause
contained in an act of this Assembly, passed at June session,
A.D. 1774, permitting slaves brought from the coast of Africa
into the West Indies, on board any vessel belonging to this (then
colony, now) state, and who could not be disposed of in the West Indies,
&c.,