Sec. 17.  “All former instalment laws, and an ordinance imposing a penalty on persons importing negroes into this State, passed the 28th day of March 1787, are hereby repealed.”  Grimke, Public Laws, p. 466.

1789, Feb. 3.  Delaware:  Slave-Trade Prohibited.

“An additional Supplementary ACT to an act, intituled, An act to prevent the exportation of slaves, and for other purposes.”

“Whereas it is inconsistent with that spirit of general liberty which pervades the constitution of this state, that vessels should be fitted out, or equipped, in any of the ports thereof, for the purpose of receiving and transporting the natives of Africa to places where they are held in slavery; or that any acts should be deemed lawful, which tend to encourage or promote such iniquitous traffic among us: 

Sec. 1. “Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of Delaware, That if any owner or owners, master, agent, or factor, shall fit out, equip, man, or otherwise prepare, any ship or vessel within any port or place in this state, or shall cause any ship, or other vessel, to sail from any port or place in this state, for the purpose of carrying on a trade or traffic in slaves, to, from, or between, Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, or any places or countries whatever, or of transporting slaves to, or from, one port or place to another, in any part or parts of the world; such ship or vessel, her tackle, furniture, apparel, and other appurtenances, shall be forfeited to this state....  And moreover, all and every person and persons so fitting out ... any ship or vessel ... shall severally forfeit and pay the sum of Five Hundred Pounds;” one-half to the state, and one-half to the informer.

Sec. 2. “And whereas it has been found by experience, that the act, intituled, An act to prevent the exportation of slaves, and for other purposes, has not produced all the good effects expected therefrom,” any one exporting a slave to Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, or the West Indies, without license, shall forfeit L100 for each slave exported and L20 for each attempt.

Sec. 3.  Slaves to be tried by jury for capital offences. Laws of Delaware (ed. 1797), p. 942, ch. 194 b.

1789, May 13.  Congress (House):  Proposed Duty on Slaves Imported.

A tax of $10 per head on slaves imported, moved by Parker of Virginia.  After debate, withdrawn. Annals of Cong., 1 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 336-42.

1789, Sept. 19.  Congress (House):  Bill to Tax Slaves Imported.

A committee under Parker of Virginia reports, “a bill concerning the importation of certain persons prior to the year 1808.”  Read once and postponed until next session. House Journal (repr. 1826), 1 Cong. 1 sess.  I. 37, 114; Annals of Cong., 1 Cong. 1 sess., pp. 366, 903.

1790, March 22.  Congress (House):  Declaration of Powers.