APPENDIX TO Vol. III. 927 



XXIV. We forbid them likewife to exempt themfelves from the 

 fupport and fubfiflence of their flaves, by permitting them to work 

 for themfelves certain days in the week. 



XXV. Mafters Ihall be obhged to furnifli each and every of their 

 flaves, yearly, with two fuits of linen cloth, or five yards of light 

 cloths, whichfoever the faid mafters (hall judge mofl proper. 



XXVI. Slaves, that are not fubfiftcd, cloathed, and maintained, 

 in the manner we have direded by thefe prefents, may give notice 

 thereof to our attorney, and put their cafe into his hands j in con- 

 fequence of which, or even without them, if the caufe of com- 

 plaint (hall come to his knowledge by any other means, the ma- 

 kers (hall be profecuted at his inftance, and without any expence ; 

 which procefs we would alfo have obferved in regard to thofe ma- 

 fters who abufe [g] or treat their flaves in a barbarous and inhuman 

 manner. 



XXVII. Slaves, that are become infirm by old age, ficknefs, or 

 otherwife, whether their difeafe be incurable or not, (hall be fub- 

 fifted and maintained by their mafters ; or, in cafe of being aban- 

 doned by their mafters, they (hall be fent to the hofpital, to which 

 fuch mafters (hall be adjudged to pay Cix-pcnce per diem for the fub- 

 fiflence and maintenance of every fuch flave [6"]. 



XXVIII. We declare flaves to be incapable of pofTefling any thing, 

 except to the ufe of their maftcr; and whatever they may acquire, 

 either by their own induftry, or the liberality of others, or by any 

 other means, or under what title foever, (hall be and accrue to their 



[_•] So the evangelical precept, Eplief. vi. 9, " ami, ye mailers, do the fame things unto 

 " them, forbearing threattniiig ; knowing, that your mailer alfo is in heaven ; neither is thea" 

 " refpeft of perfons with him." And to the fame efteft was that conftitution of Clement, " cavf, 

 " fervo aiit ancttla impcres eicerbo animo." For which, Seneca gives us averyjull realbn : " ^(■r 

 " enini fiirmiih'.pjus cl contumax, lufi cum la^a blandieuti fermiilfcrh.^'' So the Jewifli Law, in refpeiit 

 to- the kfler modes of punifhing : " non opprimes cum, noii ilo/iii/iabcrii ci dure,^'' 



[-6] Plutarch fpeaks of it as a mod fcandalous praftice of the eider Cato, that he ufed to fell hi*- 

 flaves as foon as they grew old. So INIontefquieu : " the laws ought to provide, that caie be 

 " taken of ihem in fickixfs and old age." Claudius decreed, " that the flave?, \vho in ficknels 

 " had been abandoned by their mafters, (liould, in cafe they recovered, be free." 



A regulation in this refpeft is much wanted in our ifland ; where fuperannuated flaves, be- 

 coming burthenfome, may, from the vile principles of avaricious owners, attraifl ill ufa^c, 

 inftead of compaffion. An exemption from taxes, for all flaves above fifty years of age, would 

 be aa ufeful public grant in their favour.. ' 



rcfpedive- 



