f New England. Persons desiring to leave the colony had to give
public notice for ten days in the most public place in the colony; and
it specifies the duties of naval officers, and closes with the
following in reference to Negro slaves, calling attention to the
impost Act of 1708.--

"It was then and there enacted, that for all negroes
imported into this colony, there shall be L3 current money,
of New England, paid into the general treasury of this
colony for each negro, by the owner or importer of said
negro; reference being had unto the said act will more fully
appear.

"But were laid under no obligation by the said act, to give
an account to the Governor what negroes they did import,
whereby the good intentions of said act were wholly
frustrated and brought to no effect, and by the
clandestinely hiding and conveying said negroes out of the
town into the country, where they lie concealed:

"For the prevention of which for the future, it is hereby
enacted by the authority aforesaid, that from and after the
publication of this act, all masters of vessels that shall
come into the harbor of Newport, or into any port of this
government, that hath imported any negroes or Indian slaves,
shall, before he puts on shore in any port of this
government, or in the town of Newport, any negroes or Indian
slaves, or suffers any negroes or Indian slaves to be put on
shore by any person whatsoever, from on board his said
vessel, deliver unto the naval officer in the town of
Newport, a fair manifest under his hand, which shall specify
the full number of negroes and Indian slaves he hath
imported in his said vessel, of what sex, with their names,
the names of their owners, or of those they are consigned
to; to the truth of which manifest so given in, the said
master shall give his corporal oath, or solemn engagement
unto the said naval officer, who is hereby empowered to
administer the same unto him, which said manifest being duly
sworn unto, the said naval officer shall make a fair entry
thereof in a book, which shall be prepared for that use,
whereunto the said mister shall set his hand....

"And when the said master hath delivered his said manifest
and sworn to it, as abovesaid, and before he hath landed on
shore, or suffer to be landed, any negroes