LAWS OF MARYLAND.—1717. 47
any matter or thing whatsoever depending before any court of
record, or before any magistrate within this province, wherein
any Christian white person is concerned. |
|
SEC. 3. Yet, nevertheless. Where other sufficient evidence is
wanting against any negro or mulatto slaves, free negro, or
mulatto born of a white woman, during their servitude by law,
or against any Indian native of this or the neighbouring pro-
vinces, in such a case the testimony of any negro or mulatto
slave, free negro, mulatto born of a white woman, or Indian
native of this or the neighbouring provinces, may be heard and
received as evidence, according to the discretion of the several
courts of record, or magistrate, before whom such a matter or
thing against such negro, mulatto slave, &c. shall depend, pro-
vided such evidence or testimony do not extend to the depriving
them, or any of them, of life or member.
See the notes under the act of 1715, ch. 44, and 1728, ch. 4.
By 1801, ch. 109, and by 1808, ch. 81, slaves may give evidence in all
cases against free negroes.
SEC. 4. Superseded by 1809, ch. 138, sec. 21. |
But may
against
each other,
&c. |
SEC. 5. And, whereas in the law relating to servants and
slaves there is no punishment or penalties laid upon negroes or
mulattoes intermarrying with any white person, Be it therefore
enacted, by and with the authority, advice and consent aforesaid,
That if any free negro or mulatto intermarry with any white
woman, or if any white man shall intermarry with any negro
or mulatto woman, such negro or mulatto shall become a slave
during life, excepting mulattoes born of white women, who for
such intermarriage shall only become servants for seven years,
to be disposed of as the justices of the county court where
such marriage so happens shall think fit, to be applied by them
towards the support of a public school within the said county,
and any white man or white woman who shall intermarry as
aforesaid with any negro or mulatto, such white man or white
woman shall become servants during the term of seven years,
and shall be disposed of by the justices as aforesaid, and be
applied to the uses aforesaid. |
No free
negro, &c.
to inter-
marry with
white per-
sons, &c. |
SEC. 6. And, further, whereas many negro, Indians and mu-
latto slaves, are often found guilty of pilfering and stealing, and
other misdemeanors, for which they either escape without
punishment, or else the owners of such Indian, negroes or
mulattoes, are put to considerable charge by bringing them to
trial, and receiving their punishment for such crime before the
county courts ; Be it enacted, by and with the authority, advice
and consent aforesaid, That whensoever any negro, Indian or
mulatto slave, shall hereafter be charged with any pilfering or
stealing, or any other crime or misdemeanors whereof the
county court might have cognizance, it shall and may be |
Slaves may
be punished
&c. |
|
 |
