s slavery a violation of "natural,
inherent and unalienable rights." _Vermont State Papers, 1779-86_, p.
244.

~1777. Maryland: Negro Duty Maintained.~

"An Act concerning duties."

" ... no duties imposed by act of assembly on any article or thing
imported into or exported out of this state (except duties imposed on
the importation of negroes), shall be taken or received within two years
from the end of the present session of the general assembly." _Laws of
Maryland since 1763_: 1777, sess. Feb.-Apr., ch. xviii.

~1778, Sept. 7. Pennsylvania: Act to Collect Back Duties.~

"An Act for the recovery of the duties on Negroes and Mulattoe slaves,
which on the fourth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and
seventy-six, were due to this state," etc. Dallas, _Laws_, I. 782.

~1778, October. Virginia: Importation Prohibited.~

"An act for preventing the farther importation of Slaves.

Sec. 1. "For preventing the farther importation of slaves into this
commonwealth, _Be it enacted by the General Assembly_, That from and
after the passing of this act no slave or slaves shall hereafter be
imported into this commonwealth by sea or land, nor shall any slaves so
imported be sold or bought by any person whatsoever.

Sec. 2. "Every person hereafter importing slaves into this commonwealth
contrary to this act shall forfeit and pay the sum of one thousand
pounds for every slave so imported, and every person selling or buying
any such slaves shall in like manner forfeit and pay the sum of five
hundred pounds for every slave so sold or bought," etc.

Sec. 3. "_And be it farther enacted_, That every slave imported into this
commonwealth, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act,
shall, upon such importation become free."

Sec. 4. Exceptions are _bona fide_ settlers with slaves not imported later
than Nov. 1, 1778, nor intended to be sold; and transient travellers.
Re-enacted in substance in the revision of October, 1785. For a
temporary exception to this act, as concerns citizens of Georgia and
South Carolina during the war, see Act of May, 1780. Hening, _Statutes_,
IX. 471; X. 307; XII. 182.

~1779, October. Rhode Island: Slave-Trade Restricted.~

"An Act prohibiting slaves being sold out of the state, against their
consent." Title only found. _Colonial Records_, VIII. 618; Arnold,
_History of Rhode Island_, II. 449.

~1779. Vermont: Importation Prohibited.~

"An Act for securing the general privi