LAWS OF MARYLAND.— 1796.

335

the property of the person or persons so importing or bringing
such slave within this state, and shall be free.
SEC. 2. By this section it was permitted any citizen of the United States
coming into this state, with a bona fide intention to reside therein, to bring
with him at the time of his removal, or within one year thereafter, any
slave, the property of such citizen at the time of his removal, which slams,
or the mother of which slaves, shall have been a resident of the United States,
or some one of them, three whole years next preceding such removal.
This policy of the state was abandoned, and a total prohibition to the
future introduction of slaves into the state, either for sale or residence,
was incorporated in the act of 1831, ch, 323, sec. 4.
This restrictive policy was, however, but of short duration, for in the
year 1833, ch. 87, every barrier to the future introduction of slaves for
residence, was withdrawn, and 'any person who may remove into this state,
with a bona fide intention of becoming a citizen thereof, may introduce ioto
the state any slave owned by him, paying a tax on each slave, graduated
according to age, for the benefit of the State Colonization Society,' and
this now is the law of the state.

SEC. 3, And be it enacted, That nothing herein contained
shall be construed to enable any person or persons, so removing
as aforesaid, to sell or dispose of any slave or slaves imported
by virtue of this act, or their increase, unless such person or
persons shall have resided within this state three whole years
next preceding such sale, except in cases of disposition by last
will and testament, and dispositions by law for bona fide debts,
or consequent upon intestacy.
By 1833, ch. 87, which again legalizes the introduction of slaves into the
state, the conditions imposed are recording and an oath taken by the party,
that they were not brought in for the purpose of sale, and that they are
slaves for life.

Persons not
to sell, &c.

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That nothing in this act con-
tained shall be construed or taken to affect the right of any
person or persons travelling or sojourning with any slave or
slaves within this state, such slave or slaves not being sold or
otherwise disposed of in this state, but carried by the owner
out of this state, or attempted to be carried.
By the act of 1832, ch. 317, any citizen of this state in the service of the
United States, or of this state, leaving this state for a limited time, may
carry out and bring back their slaves.

Right not
affected,
&c.

SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That no slave manumitted agree-
ably to the laws of this state since the passing of the act,* enti-
tled, an act to prohibit the bringing slaves into this state, or
made free under the said act, or who shall hereafter be manu-
mitted or made free in virtue of this act, shall be entitled to the
privilege of voting at elections, or of being elected or appointed
to any office of profit or trust, or to give evidence against any
white person, or shall be recorded as competent evidence to
manumit any slave petitioning for freedom.
SEC. G. And be it enacted, That no person brought into this
state from any of the United States, who is bound to service for

No slave
manumitted
to vote, &c.

*1783, ch.
23.