of North Carolina. 257 



asleep, his Friend importuned him to go home along with 

 him, which the other refusing to do, his Friend told him, 

 that he would leave him, which he had no sooner said, but 

 the other Stab'd him with his Knife, whereof he instantly 

 died; the Murderer was immediately apprehended, tried, 

 and condemned to die, he confest that before he left Europe 

 he had murdered two, and notwithstanding his Condemna- 

 tion, he found means to make his escape out of Prison some 

 few Days before the Execution. 



As for Debtors, few or none are confinM in Prison above 

 four and twenty Hours, for the Sherriff generally takes 

 them Home to his House, or takes their Word for their 

 Appearance at the next Court, to be held, in any of their 

 precincts or Barronies, where they Judge him a Servant to the 

 Creditor for as long time as they imagine the Debt deserves, 

 but if the Person has been a Planter and by misfortunes has 

 contracted Debts, or an aged Person they frequently at these 

 Courts make a Collection amongst themselves, by which 

 means they discharge the Debt, or satisfie the Creditor; so 

 that by these methods none are kept in confinement. 



It is likewise enacted by the Laws of the Country, that 

 no Person shall be liable to pay above forty Shillings of their 

 Country Money for any publick-House Scores for Liquors, 

 let the Persons that keep such Houses trust them what they 

 please, yet by Law they can recover no more : This is done 

 chiefly to prevent People, if possible, running in Debt, or 

 spending their Time idly after that manner, especially in a 

 Country where Industry is so much wanting. ISTotwithstand- 

 ing this Law, some will owe above One hundred Pounds at 

 these Taverns, or publick Houses, which they will justly and 



1'^ Kk honestly 



