SLAVES AND FREE PERSONS.—­AN ACT PASSED BY THE GENERAL COURT
     IN 1711, REQUIRING PERSONS MANUMITTING SLAVES TO MAINTAIN
     THEM.—­REGULATING THE SOCIAL CONDUCT OF SLAVES IN 1723.—­THE
     PUNISHMENT OF NEGRO, INDIAN, AND MULATTO SLAVES, FOR THE USE
     OF PROFANE LANGUAGE, IN 1630.—­LAWFULNESS OF INDIAN AND
     NEGRO SLAVERY RECOGNIZED BY CODE, SEPT. 5, 1646.—­LIMITED
     RIGHTS OF FREE NEGROES IN THE COLONY.—­NEGRO POPULATIONS IN
     1762.—­ACT AGAINST IMPORTATION OF SLAVES, 1774.

Although the colony of Connecticut was founded between the years 1631 and 1636, there are to be found no reliable data by which to fix the time of the introduction of slavery there.[435] Like the serpent’s entrance into the Garden of Eden, slavery entered into this colony stealthily; and its power for evil was discovered only when it had become a formidable social and political element.  Vessels from the West Coast of Africa, from the West Indies, and from Barbadoes, landed Negroes for sale in Connecticut during the early years of its settlement.  And for many years slavery existed here, without sanction of law, it is true, but perforce of custom.  Negroes were bought as laborers and domestics, and it was a long time before their number called for special legislation.  But, like a cancer, slavery grew until there was not a single colony in North America that could boast of its ability to check the dreadful curse.  When the first slaves were introduced into this colony, can never be known; but, that there were Negro slaves from the beginning, we have the strongest historical presumption.  For nearly two decades there was no reference made to slavery in the records of the colony.

In 1680 “the Committee for Trade and Foreign Plantations” addressed to the governors of the North-American plantations or colonies a series of questions.  Among the twenty-seven questions put to Gov.  Leete of Connecticut, were two referring to Negroes.  The questions were as follows:—­

“17.  What number of English, Scotch, Irish or Forreigners have (for these seaven yeares last past, or any other space of time) come yearly to plant and inhabit within your Corporation.  And also, what Blacks and Slaves have been brought in within the said time, and att what rates?

“18.  What number of Whites, Blacks or Mulattos have been born and christened, for these seaven yeares last past, or any other space of time, for as many yeares as you are able to state on account of?"[436]

To these the governor replied as follows:—­

“17. Answ.  For English, Scotts and Irish, there are so few come in that we cannot give a certain acco’t.  Som yeares come none; sometimes, a famaly or two, in a year.  And for Blacks, there comes sometimes 3 or 4 in a year from Barbadoes; and they are sold usually at the rate of 22’li. a piece, sometimes more and sometimes less, according as men can