Greenleaf consider the same, and report."[407] The
public feeling on the matter was aroused. It was considered as
important as, if not more important than, any measure before the
Legislature.

The committee were out until March, considering what was best to do
about the petition. On the 2d of March, 1774, they reported to the
House "a Bill to prevent the Importation of Negroes and others as
slaves into this Province," when it was read a first time. On the 3d
of March it was read a second time in the morning session; in the
afternoon session, read a third time, and passed to be engrossed. It
was then sent up to the Council to be concurred in, by Col. Gerrish,
Col. Thayer, Col. Bowers, Mr. Pickering and Col. Bacon.[408] On the
next day the bill "passed in Council with Amendments,"[409] and was
returned to the House. On the 5th of March the House agreed to concur
in Council amendments, and on the 7th of March passed the bill as
amended. On the day following it was placed upon its passage in the
Council, and carried. It was then sent down to the governor to receive
his signature, in order to become the law of the Province. That
official's approval was withheld, and the reason given was, "the
secretary said (on returning the approved bills) that his Excellency
had not had time to consider the other Bills that had been laid before
him."[410]

It is quite fortunate that the bill was preserved;[411] for it is now,
in the certain light of a better civilization, a document of great
historic value.

"ANNO REGNI REGIS GEORGII TERTII &c. DECIMO QUARTO.

"AN ACT to prevent the importation of Negroes or
other Persons as Slaves into this Province, and the
purchasing them within the same, _and for making provision
for relief of the children of such as are already subjected
to slavery Negroes Mulattoes & Indians born within this
Province_.

"WHEREAS the Importation of Persons as Slaves into
this Province has been found detrimental to the interest of
his Majesty's subjects therein; And it being apprehended
that the abolition thereof will be beneficial to the
Province--

"_Be it therefore Enacted_ by the Governor Council and House
of Representatives that whoever shall after the Tenth Day of
April next import or bring into this Province by Land or
Water any Negro or other Person or Persons whether Male or
Female as a Slave or Slaves shall for eac