PUBLIC GENERAL LAW.

8737

Penalty on free negroes giving or selling their certificates of freedom —

Put.

1796, ch. 67, sec. 18, .........

339

Penalty on persons giving a pass to a slave, or person held to service,

or assisting their transportation from this state, or by unlawful

means depriving the owners of their service — 1796, ch. 67, sec. 19,*

340

Punishment of slaves selling liquor, or keeping entertainment at any

horse-race, Re. without permission in writing from their owners

1796, ch. 67, sec. 20, .........

340

No petition for freedom shall originate in the general court, but in the

county court where the petitioner resides, under the direction of

his owner— 1796, ch. 67, sec. 21, ......

341

The process to be issued to the county where the owner resides —

1796, ch. 67, sec. 21, + ........

341

Either party may apply for a trial by jury, which shall be charged as

the law directs, &c.— 1796, ch. 67, sec. 22, .

341

Either party may challenge peremptorily twelve jurors, and for want

of a sufficient number remaining on the original panel a tales, at

the prayer of either party, shall be awarded — 1796, ch. 67, sec. 24,

341

An appeal allowed as to matters of law only to the general court, and

bills of exception to be taken — 1796, ch. 67, sec. 23, .

341

On all petitions for freedom thereafter instituted, where they shall be

dismissed, or on trial judgment be against the petitioner, the attor-

ney shall pay all legal costs, unless the court shall be of opinion,

under all circumstances, that there was probable ground to suppose

the said petitioners had a right to freedom — 1796, ch. 67, sec. 25,

341

In cases depending, where others by the same parties have been dis-

missed, proceedings to be staid by the court till the costs of such

former petitions, and all reasonable expenses, 8tc. to he ascertained

by the court, are paid — 1796, ch. 67, sec. 25, ....

341

If not paid within six months, the defendants to be discharged from

their recognizances, and the petition dismissed — 1796, ch. 67,

sec. 26, .. ...... ...

342

On a petition being dismissed, and a second petition filed, proceedings

shall he staid till the costs of the former petition, and all reason-

able damages, &c. (to be ascertained by the court,) shall be paid or

secured— 1796, ch. 67, sec. 27, .......

342

Mode of manumitting slaves by writing — 1796, ch. 67, sec. 29,

342

See Orphans Court — Assets — Guardian — Ward.

On sentence of death being passed on any slave or servant, and com-

muted by the governor, the valuation made by the court to be paid

by the treasurer, on an order from the governor — 1802, ch. 92,

467

An act relating to runaway servants and slaves — 1802, ch. 96++,

468

On application to the county court, setting forth that any negro or mu-

latto bound to serve for a limited time, has run away or departed

from such service, the court may adjudge him to serve for such

* See notes to this section. + See the note to this section.

++ See notes to 1796, ch. 56, p. 334, where other modifications of this sys-

tern are collected.

343