The colony of Maryland.

1634-1775.

Maryland under the Laws of Virginia until 1630.—­First Legislation on the Slavery Question in 1637-38—­Slavery established by Statute in 1663—­The Discussion of Slavery.—­An Act passed encouraging the Importation of Negroes and White Slaves in 1671.—­An Act laying an Impost on Negroes and White Servants imported into the Colony.—­Duties imposed on Rum and Wine.—­Treatment of Slaves and Papists.—­Convicts imported into the Colony—­An Attempt to justify the Convict-Trade.—­Spirited Replies.—­The Laws of 1723, 1729, 1752.—­Rights of Slaves—­Negro Population in 1728.—­Increase of Slavery in 1750—­No Efforts made to prevent the Evils of Slavery.—­The Revolution nearing.—­New Life for the Negroes. 238

CHAPTER XVII.

The colony of Delaware.

1636-1775.

The Territory of Delaware settled in part by Swedes and Danes, anterior to the Year 1638.—­The Duke of York transfers the Territory of Delaware to William Penn.—­Penn grants the Colony the Privilege of Separate Government.—­Slavery introduced on the Delaware as early as 1636.—­Complaint against Peter Alricks for using Oxen and Negroes belonging to the Company.—­The First Legislation on the Slavery Question in the Colony.—­An Enactment of a Law for the Better Regulation of Servants.—­An Act restraining Manumission. 249

CHAPTER XVIII.

The colony of Connecticut.

1646-1775.

The Founding of Connecticut, 1631-36.—­No Reliable Data given for the Introduction of Slaves.—­Negroes were first introduced by Ship during the Early Years of the Colony.—­“Committee for Trade and Foreign Plantations.”—­Interrogating the Governor as to the Number of Negroes in the Colony in 1680.—­The Legislature (1690) passes a Law pertaining to the Purchase and Treatment of 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 Population in 1762.—­Act against Importation of Slaves, 1774. 252

CHAPTER XIX.

The colony of Rhode island.

1647-1775.