B O O K ll. CHAP. Xlli. 3ai 



cohvi^led of wilful and corrupt perjuryj they are made liable to the 

 fame puniniment, as the laws of England infliiSl on this offence. 



Thus it appears, that they hold a limited freedom, fimilar to 

 that of the Jews ; and it has been often fuggeftcd by very fenfible 

 men, that it is too circumfcribed, more efpecially in reference to 

 thofe who have large patrimonies in the ifland ; who, without any 

 probable ill confequence, might be permitted to have a vote in the 

 veftry, and at the eleftion of members to ferve in the aflembly ; to 

 write as clerks in fome of the offices ; and hold military com- 

 miffions in the Black and Mulatto companies of militia ; which 

 privileges I will not difpute: but, for many reafons, it were better' 

 to confer them on particular or feleft perfons, of good education 

 and morality, than to extend them by a general law to many, who, 

 it muft be confefTed, are not fitly qualified for this enlargement. 



The defcendants of the Negroe blood, entitled to all the rights 

 and liberties of white fubjeds, in the full extent, are fuch, who 

 are above three fleps removed in the lineal digrefllon from the Negroe 

 •venter exclufive ; that is to fay, real qidnterons, for all below this 

 degree are reputed by law Mulattos. 



The law requires likewife, in all thefe cafes, the facrament of -^ 

 baptifm, before they can be admitted to thefe privileges. Some few 

 other reftridions are laid on the firft and fecond clafs. No one of 

 them, except he poffefTes a fettlement with ten flaves upon it, may 

 k'eep any horfes, mares, mules, afles, or neat cattle, on penalty of 

 forfeiture. This was calculated to put a flop to the prafbice of 

 llaughterihg the old breed on commons, and putting their own 

 marks upon the young. 



But two juftices may licenfe any fuch freed-perfon to keep fuch 

 ftock, during good behaviour. 



They who havfe not a fettlement, as juft mentioned, muftfurnifli 

 themfelves with certificates of their freedom, under the hand and 

 fc^I of a juftice, and wear a blue crdfs on the right (houlder, on 

 pain of imprifonment. 



If convicted of concealing, enticing, entertaining, or fending off 

 the ifland, any fugitive, rebellious, or other Have, they are to for- 

 feit their freedom, be fold,' and bani(hed. 

 \^o L. II, T t Thefe 



