| Date | 1839 (38? according to MSA) |
|---|---|
| Law/Legislation | Law |
| Jurisdiction | MD |
| Title | An act to prevent the transportation of People of Colour, upon Rail Roads or in Steam Boats |
| Description/Full Text | Preamble. WHEREAS it has been represented to this General Assembly that the owners of slaves in the State have suffered great loss by the facilities of escape, afforded to slaves by means of Rail Roads and Steam Boats, therefore for remedy of said evil. Transportation of slave without a written permit, forbid. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That it shall not be lawful for any slave to be transported on any rail road, chartered by this State, or any steamboat, tow-boat or other vessel nav- igating the waters of this State, without a permission in writing from the owner of such slave, under the pen- Penalty $500. alty of five hundred dollars for every violation of this act, to be recovered in the name of the State, from the president, directors and company of said rail road, or the owners or captain of said steamboat, tow-boat op other vessel, as the case may be, by action of debt in any of the courts of law of this State, one half whereof shall be for the use of the informer, and the other half for the use of the State. In case of escape a slave. Sec. 2. And be it enacted, That if any slave or slaves shall escape from his or their owner or owners, by being Owner may recover the value. transported on said rail roads, or in said steamboats, tow-boats, or other vessel, the master or mistress, or oth- rer owner or owners thereof, shall and may recover the value of such slave or slaves from the president, di- rectors and company of said rail road, or the owners sel, as the case may be, by action of debt in his, her or their name or names, in any of the courts of law in this State. Exception. Sec. 3. And be it enacted, That the provisions of the to any slave travelling in company with his, or their master or mistress, his, her or their agent, or as the servant or attendant of any white person or persons, bonafide employed for that purpose. |
| Additional Information | – |
| Source | http://slavery.msa.maryland.gov/html/research/histlaw.html https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000598/html/am598--377.html |
| Transcriber Notes | – |
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[Author (if known)], Laws and Legislation Related to Slavery and Free Blacks in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (1642-1860), [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.
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