BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 291 



It is no wonder, therefore, that the planters <Io not fiipply their 

 deficiencies as formerly, by importing indented fervants, but rather 

 pay the penalty, \vi]ich was fixed, in the year 1715, at 13/. per 

 annum, and rarely exceeds that fum now, it being feldom doubled ; 

 or clfe pick up any tranfient vagabonds that chance to fall in their 

 way, and will ferve for 15/. or 20/. a year. 



The firll deficiency-law, paffed in 1681, required a greater pro- 

 portion. According to this, the fame proprietor muft: have kept 

 thirty-three. This may account for the greater proportion of 

 white inhabitants in thole days, when fuch fervants were to be pro- 

 cured at the mofl trifling expence, and maintained at a very cheap 

 rate. In their condition, they were little better than (laves during 

 their term of fervice. They were allowed yearly three fhirts, as 

 many pair of drawers, flioes and ftockings, and a hat or cap; 

 which were probably of very wretched fl:ufl\, as the penalty for not 

 making fuch an allowance was no more than forty fliillings. Their 

 fubfiftence was direfted to be four pound weight of good flefli or 

 filh per week, with a fufficient quantity of plantation provifion, fuch 

 as yams, &c. ; and they were fubjefted to various penalties for 

 mifdemeanour; viz. 



For laying violent hands on their employer ; a twelvemonth's 

 axtra fervice. — Embezzling or wafting goods, of above 40 j-. 

 value ; two years extra fervice. — Getting a fellow-fervant with 

 child ; a fervice of double the time the woman had to ferve. — 

 Marrying without the confent of their mafter or millrefs ; two years 

 e-A'/r^ fervice. — Abfenting from fervice without leave; one week's 

 fervice for every day's abfence. — Wilfully catching the venereal, 

 or other difeafe ; or ivilfully getting broken bones, bruifes, &c. ; 

 . to ferve double the time thereby led, and for all charges thereby 

 occafioned, at \os. a month, after the expiration of their in- 

 dentures. — Concealing a fervant, or Have; one year's fervice, or 

 a whipping of thirty-nine laflies, at the option of the injured party, 

 on conviftion before a juftice. — Stealing timber, or tanning-bark; 

 3/, penalty, upon convidion. — Forging a certificate of freedom; 

 on conviftion, to be pilloried, and lofe both ears. 



The only material provifions in their favour were, that they 

 fliouid not be whipped nahcJ, without order of a jufliceof the 



r P 2 ■ peace ; 



