whereof,

[35] _Be it enacted by the Governour, Council and
Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the
authoritie of the same_, That every free person whomsoever,
which shall presume either openly or privately to buy or
receive of or from any Indian, molato or negro servant or
slave, any goods, money, merchandize, wares, or provisions,
without order from the master or mistress of such servant
or slave, every person so offending and being thereof
convicted, shall be sentenced to restore all such money,
goods, wares, merchandizes, or provisions, unto the partie
injured, in specie, (if not altered,) and also forfeit to
the partie double the value thereof over and above, or
treble the value where the same are disposed of or made
away. And if the person so offending be unable, or shall not
make restitution as awarded, then to be openly whipt with so
many stripes (not exceeding twentie,) as the court or
justices that have cognizance of such offence shall order,
or make satisfaction by service. And the Indian, negro, or
molatto servant or slave, of or from whom such goods, money,
wares, merchandizes or provisions shall be received or
bought, if it appear to be stolen, or that shall steal any
money, goods, or chattells, and be thereof convicted,
although the buyer or receiver be not found, shall be
punished by whipping not exceeding thirtie stripes, and the
money, goods or chattels shall be restored to the partie
injured, if it be found. And every assistant and justice of
peace in the countie where such offence is committed, is
hereby authorized to hear and determine all offences against
this law, provided the damage exceed not the sum of fortie
shillings."[440]

On the same day another act was passed, charging that as Mulatto and
Negro slaves had become numerous in parts of the colony, destined to
become insubordinate, abusive of white people, etc., and is as
follows:--

"And whereas negro and molatto servants or slaves are become
numerous in some parts of this Colonie, and are very apt to
be turbulent, and often quarrelling with white people to the
great disturbance of the peace:

"_It is therefore ordered and enacted by the Governour,
Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and
by the authoritie of th