normal action of goaded humanity if the slaves
should rise and cut their masters' throats. The colonists lived in
mortal dread of their slaves, and the character of the legislation was
but the thermometer of their fear. This Act was a slight indication of
the unrest of the people of this colony on the slavery question:--

"[376] AN ACT TO PREVENT THE DISORDER OF NEGRO AND INDIAN
SERVANTS AND SLAVES IN THE NIGHT SEASON.

"_Be it enacted by the Governour, Council and
Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the
authority of the same_, That from and after the publication
of this act, if any negro or Indian servant or slave shall
be found abroad from home in the night season, after nine of
the clock, without special order from his or their master or
mistress, it shall be lawful for any person or persons to
apprehend and secure such negro or Indian servant or slave
so offending, and him or them bring before the next
assistant or justice of peace; which assistant or justice of
peace shall have full power to pass sentence upon such negro
or Indian servant or slave so offending, and order him or
them to be publickly whipt on his or their naked body, not
exceeding ten stripes, and pay cost of court, except his or
their master or mistress shall redeem them by paying a fine
not exceeding twenty shillings.

"_And it is hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid_, That
if any such negro or Indian servant or slave as abovesaid
shall have entertainment in any house after nine of the
clock as aforesaid, except to do any business they may be
sent upon, the head of the family that entertaineth or
tolerates them in his or their house, or any the
dependencies thereof, and being convicted thereof before any
one assistant or justice of the peace, who shall have power
to hear and determine the same, shall forfeit the sum of
twenty shillings, one-half to the complainer and the other
half to the treasury of the town where the offence is
committed; any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.
And that it shall be the duty of the several grand-jurors
and constables and tything-men, to make diligent enquiry
into and present of all breaches of this act."[443]

The laws regulating slavery in the colony of Connecticut, up to this
time, had stood, and been faithfully