d by the
authority of the same it is enacted and declared, that
henceforward all monies that shall be raised in this colony
by the aforesaid account, on any slaves imported into this
colony, shall be employed, the one moiety thereof for the
use of the town of Newport, towards paving and amending the
streets thereof, and the other moiety, for, and towards the
support, repairing and mending the great bridges on the
main, in the country roads, and for no other use whatsoever;
any thing in the aforesaid act to the contrary, in anywise
notwithstanding."[465]

It is wonderful how potential the influence of money is upon mankind.
The sentiments of the good people had been scattered to the winds; and
they had found a panacea for the violated convictions of the wrong of
slavery in the reduction of their taxes, new bridges, and cleansed
streets. Conscience had been bribed into acquiescence, and the
iniquity thrived. There were those who still endeavored to escape the
vigilance of the naval officers, and save the three pounds on each
slave. But the diligence and liberality of the authorities were not to
be outdone by the skulking stinginess of Negro-smugglers. On the 18th
of June, 1723, the General Assembly passed the following order:--

"Voted, that Mr. Daniel Updike, the attorney general, be,
and he hereby is ordered, appointed and empowered to gather
in the money due to this colony, for the importation of
negroes, and to prosecute, sue and implead such person or
persons as shall refuse to pay the same; and that he be
allowed five shillings per head, for every slave that shall
be hereafter imported into this colony, out of the impost
money; and that he be also allowed ten per cent. more for
all such money as he shall recover of the outstanding debts;
and in all respects to have the like power as was given to
the naval officer by the former act."[466]

The above illustrates the spirit of the times. There was a mania for
this impost-tax upon stolen Negroes, and the law was to be enforced
against all who sought to evade its requirements. But the Assembly had
a delicate sense of equity, as well as an inexorable opinion of the
precise demands of the law in its letter and spirit. On the 19th of
June, 1716, the following was passed:--

"It is ordered by this Assembly, that the duty of two
sucking slaves imported into