When was it published?

November 6, 1788 in The New York Journal, And Weekly Register

Foreign News November 6, 1788

The New York Journal, And Weekly Register

Q: What keywords are associated?

Jamaica Slave Laws, Colonial Reforms, Negro Protections, Grenada Investigation

New York, New York County, New York

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What is this article about?

Jamaica's Assembly revises slave laws with reforms favoring negroes: owners must support incapacitated slaves, penalties for mutilation/killing, fines for mistreatment, parochial tax for disabled. Grenada legislature to investigate soon.

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OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

We find that the Slave laws of Jamaica have been revised, and several regulations made in favour of the negroes. The Assembly have passed an act which contains the following reforms:

1. Every owner of a slave is prohibited from turning him away when incapacitated by age or sickness, but must provide for him wholesome necessaries of life, under a penalty of ten pounds for every offence.

2. Every person who mutilates a slave, shall pay a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, and be imprisoned not exceeding 12 months; and in every atrocious case the slaves may be declared free.

3. Any person wantonly or bloody mindedly killing a slave shall suffer death.

4. Any person whipping, bruising, wounding, or imprisoning a slave not his property; nor under his care, shall be subject to fine and imprisonment.

5. A parochial tax to be raised for the support of negroes disabled by sickness and old age, having no owners,

We are informed also, that the legislature of Grenada will shortly investigate this subject.

What sub-type of article is it?

Colonial Affairs

What keywords are associated?

Jamaica Slave Laws Colonial Reforms Negro Protections Grenada Investigation

Where did it happen?

Jamaica

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Jamaica

Outcome

reforms include penalties for mistreatment (fines up to £100, imprisonment up to 12 months, death for killing), owner obligations for support, potential slave freedom in atrocious cases, parochial tax for disabled negroes without owners.

Event Details

Jamaica's Assembly passes act revising slave laws in favor of negroes: prohibiting owners from abandoning incapacitated slaves (must provide necessaries, £10 penalty); fining/imprisoning mutilators (£100 max, 12 months); death for wanton killing; fines/imprisonment for mistreating others' slaves; parochial tax for supporting disabled ownerless negroes. Grenada legislature to investigate subject soon.