ers or vessels, who import negroes
into this colony, directly from the coast of Africa.

"And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
the money raised by the impost of negroes, as aforesaid,
shall be disposed of as followeth, viz.:

"The one moiety of the said impost money to be for the use
of the town of Newport, to be disposed of by the said town
towards paving the streets of said town, and for no other
use whatsoever, for and during the full time of seven years
from the publication of this act, and that L60 of said
impost money be for, and towards the erecting of a
substantial bridge over Potowomut river, at or near the
house of Ezekiel Hunt, in East Greenwich, and to no other
use whatsoever.

"And that Major Thomas Frye and Capt. John Eldredge be the
persons appointed to order and oversee the building of said
bridge, and to render an account thereof, to the Assembly,
and the said Major Frye and Capt. Eldredge to be paid for
their trouble and pains, out of the remaining part of said
impost money, and the remainder of said impost money to be
disposed of as the Assembly shall from time to time see
fit."[463]

And in October, 1717, the following order passed the assembly:--

"It is ordered by this Assembly, that the naval officer pay
out of the impost money on slaves, L100, to the overseer
that oversees the paving of the streets of Newport, to be
improved for paying the charges of paving said
streets."[464]

The fund accruing from the impost-duty on slaves was regarded with
great favor everywhere, especially in Newport. It had cleaned her
streets and lightened the burdens of taxation which rested so
grievously upon the freeholders. There was no voice lifted against the
iniquitous traffic, and the conscience of the colony was at rest. In
June, 1729, the following Act was passed:--

"An Act disposing of the money raised in this colony on
importing negro slaves into this colony.

"Forasmuch as there is an act of Assembly made in this
colony the 27th day of February, A.D. 1711, laying a duty of
L3 per head on all slaves imported into this colony, as is
in said act is expressed; and several things of a public
nature requiring a fund to be set apart for carrying them
on:--

"Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly, an