“And whereas negro and molatto servants or slaves are become numerous in some parts of this Colonie, and are very apt to be turbulent, and often quarrelling with white people to the great disturbance of the peace: 

“It is therefore ordered and enacted by the Governour, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authoritie of the same, That if any negro or malatto servant or slave disturb the peace, or shall offer to strike any white person, and be thereof convicted, such negro or malatto servant or slave shall be punished by whipping, at the discretion of the court, assistant or justice of the peace that shall have cognizance thereof, not exceeding thirtie stripes for one offence."[441]

In 1711 the General Court of Connecticut Colony signally distinguished itself by the passage of an act in harmony with that of 1702.  It was found that indentured servants as well as slaves had been made the victims of the cruel policy of turning slaves and servants out into the world without means of support after they had become helpless, or had served out their time.  This class of human beings had been cast aside, like a squeezed lemon, to be trodden under the foot of men.  The humane and thoughtful men of the colony demanded a remedy at law, and it came in the following admirable bill:—­

     “An Act relating to Slaves, and such in particular as shall
     happen to become Servants for Time.

“It is ordered and enacted by the Governour, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That all slaves set at liberty by their owners, and all negro, malatto, or Spanish Indians, who are servants to masters for time, in case they come to want, after they shall be so set at liberty, or the time of their said service be expired, shall be relieved by such owners or masters respectively, their heirs, executors, or administrators; and upon their, or either of their refusal so to do, the said slaves and servants shall be relieved by the selectmen of the towns to which they belong, and the said selectmen shall recover of the said owners or masters, their heirs, executors, or administrators, all the charge and cost they were at for such relief, in the usual manner as in the case of any other debts."[442]

In 1723 an Act was passed regulating the social conduct, and restricting the personal rights, of slaves.  The slaves were quite numerous at this time, and hence the colonists deemed it proper to secure repressive legislation.  It is strange how anticipatory the colonies were during the zenith of the slavery institution!  They were always expecting something of the slaves.  No doubt they thought that it would be but the 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:—­