Sec. 2. "Every person hereafter importing slaves into this commonwealth
contrary to this act shall forfeit and pay the sum of one thousand
pounds for every slave so imported, and every person selling or buying
any such slaves shall in like manner forfeit and pay the sum of five
hundred pounds for every slave so sold or bought," etc.
Sec. 3. "_And be it farther enacted_, That every slave imported into this
commonwealth, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act,
shall, upon such importation become free."
Sec. 4. Exceptions are _bona fide_ settlers with slaves not imported later
than Nov. 1, 1778, nor intended to be sold; and transient travellers.
Re-enacted in substance in the revision of October, 1785. For a
temporary exception to this act, as concerns citizens of Georgia and
South Carolina during the war, see Act of May, 1780. Hening, _Statutes_,
IX. 471; X. 307; XII. 182.
~1779, October. Rhode Island: Slave-Trade Restricted.~
"An Act prohibiting slaves being sold out of the state, against their
consent." Title only found. _Colonial Records_, VIII. 618; Arnold,
_History of Rhode Island_, II. 449.
~1779. Vermont: Importation Prohibited.~
"An Act for securing the general privileges of the people," etc. The act
abolished slavery. _Vermont State Papers, 1779-86_, p. 287.
~1780. Massachusetts: Slavery Abolished.
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