Slaves."

"Whereas the Principles of Justice and Humanity require that the
barbarous Custom of bringing the unoffending African from his native
Country and Connections into a State of Slavery ought to be
discountenanced, and as soon as possible prevented; and sound Policy
also requires, in order to afford ample Support to such of the Community
as depend upon their Labour for their daily Subsistence, that the
Importation of Slaves into this State from any other State or Country
whatsoever, ought to be prohibited under certain Restrictions; and that
such as are under Servitude in the State ought to be protected by Law
from those Exercises of Wanton Cruelty too often practiced upon them;
and that every unnecessary Obstruction in the Way of freeing Slaves
should be removed; therefore,

Sec. 1. "_Be it Enacted by the Council and General Assembly of this State,
and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same_, That from and
after the Publication of this Act, it shall not be lawful for any Person
or Persons whatsoever to bring into this State, either for Sale or for
Servitude, any Negro Slave brought from Africa since the Year Seventeen
Hundred and Seventy-six; and every Person offending by bringing into
this State any such Negro Slave shall, for each Slave, forfeit and Pay
the Sum of Fifty Pounds, to be sued for and recovered with Costs by the
Collector of the Township into which such Slave shall be brought, to be
applied when recovered to the Use of the State.

Sec. 2. "_And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid_, That if
any Person shall either bring or procure to be brought into this State,
any Negro or Mulatto Slave, who shall not have been born in or brought
from Africa since the Year above mentioned, and either sell or buy, or
cause such Negro or Mulatto Slave to be sold or remain in this State,
for the Space of six Months, every such Person so bringing or procuring
to be brought or selling or purchasing such Slave, not born in or
brought from Africa since the Year aforesaid, shall for every such
Slave, forfeit and pay the Sum of Twenty Pounds, to be sued for and
recovered with Costs by the Collector of the Township into which such
Slave shall be brought or remain after the Time limited for that
Purpose, the Forfeiture to be applied to the Use of the State as
aforesaid.

Sec. 3. "_Provided always, and be it further Enacted by the Authority
aforesaid_, That Nothing in this Act contained shall be con