To carry a slave out of North Carolina, or conceal him with intent to carry him out, is punished with death.
If a runaway slave die in prison, before he or she can be sold, the county pays the sheriff and jailer; formerly these officers depended on the life and marketableness of their prisoners for security; but even this poor motive for kindness is now taken away. If ninetynine out of a hundred die in prison, they will be heard of only in the jailer's bill. I never heard or read of an inquest upon the body of a slave found dead. Under the term "runaway slaves" are included many free colored persons taken up unjustly.
Well might Jefferson say, "I tremble for my country, when I reflect that God is just!"
In travelling over this dreary desert, it is pleasant to arrive at one little oasis: Louisiana has enacted that slaves brought into that State for sale, shall forthwith be set free; but they must be sent out of the State.
It is worthy of remark that England pursues a totally different course with regard to allowing slaves to communicate with free people. Their recent laws are all calculated to make it easy for the slave to obtain a fair hearing from people who have no interest to suppress his complaints. He may go upon any plantation, and communicate with any person; and whoever tries to prevent his going to a magistrate is guilty of a misdemeanor.
They have abolished all distinction between white and colored witnesses.
The law expressly stipulates the quality and quantity of provisions.
Inquest is held upon the bodies of slaves dying suddenly, or from any suspected violence.
Use of the cart whip prohibited; and no female to be punished except by order of the court.
Only fifteen lashes allowed as a punishment to men for one offence, and in one day; two kinds of punishment never allowed for one offence.
When a slave is punished, two competent witnesses must be present.
The owner is obliged to keep a record of domestic punishments and the causes.
