1777, July 2.  Vermont:  Slavery Condemned.

The first Constitution declares slavery a violation of “natural, inherent and unalienable rights.” Vermont State Papers, 1779-86, p. 244.

1777.  Maryland:  Negro Duty Maintained.

“An Act concerning duties.”

" ... no duties imposed by act of assembly on any article or thing imported into or exported out of this state (except duties imposed on the importation of negroes), shall be taken or received within two years from the end of the present session of the general assembly.” Laws of Maryland since 1763:  1777, sess.  Feb.-Apr., ch. xviii.

1778, Sept. 7.  Pennsylvania:  Act to Collect Back Duties.

“An Act for the recovery of the duties on Negroes and Mulattoe slaves, which on the fourth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, were due to this state,” etc.  Dallas, Laws, I. 782.

1778, October.  Virginia:  Importation Prohibited.

“An act for preventing the farther importation of Slaves.

Sec. 1.  “For preventing the farther importation of slaves into this commonwealth, Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That from and after the passing of this act no slave or slaves shall hereafter be imported into this commonwealth by sea or land, nor shall any slaves so imported be sold or bought by any person whatsoever.

Sec. 2.  “Every person hereafter importing slaves into this commonwealth contrary to this act shall forfeit and pay the sum of one thousand pounds for every slave so imported, and every person selling or buying any such slaves shall in like manner forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred pounds for every slave so sold or bought,” etc.

Sec. 3. “And be it farther enacted, That every slave imported into this commonwealth, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, shall, upon such importation become free.”

Sec. 4.  Exceptions are bona fide settlers with slaves not imported later than Nov. 1, 1778, nor intended to be sold; and transient travellers.  Re-enacted in substance in the revision of October, 1785.  For a temporary exception to this act, as concerns citizens of Georgia and South Carolina during the war, see Act of May, 1780.  Hening, Statutes, IX. 471; X. 307; XII. 182.

1779, October.  Rhode Island:  Slave-Trade Restricted.

“An Act prohibiting slaves being sold out of the state, against their consent.”  Title only found. Colonial Records, VIII. 618; Arnold, History of Rhode Island, II. 449.

1779.  Vermont:  Importation Prohibited.

“An Act for securing the general privileges of the people,” etc.  The act abolished slavery. Vermont State Papers, 1779-86, p. 287.

1780.  Massachusetts:  Slavery Abolished.

Passage in the Constitution which was held by the courts to abolish slavery:  “Art.  I. All men are born free and equal, and have certain, natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties,” etc. Constitution of Massachusetts, Part I., Art. 1; prefixed to Perpetual Laws (1789).