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of soldiers, declared that what Indian prisoners should be taken in war should be free purchase to the soldier taking them.** 1679. c. 1. Three years after it was declared that all servants brought into this country by sea or land, not being Christians, whether Negroes, Moors, mulattoes or Indians, except Turks and Moors in amity with Great Britain, and all Indians which should thereafter be sold by neighbouring Indians, or any others trafficking with us, as slaves, should be slaves to all intents and purposes.†† 1682. c. 1. This act was re-enacted in the year 1705, and afterwards in 1753,‡‡ 1705. c. 49. 1753. c. 2. nearly in the same terms. In 1705 an act was made, authorising a free and open trade for all persons, at all times, and at all places, with all Indians whatsoever.§§ 1705. c. 52. On the authority of this act, the general court in April term 1787 decided that no Indians brought into Virginia since the passing thereof, nor their descendants, can be slaves in this commonwealth.[1]
- ↑ Hannah and other Indians, against Davis.—Since this adjudication, I have met with a manuscript act of assembly made in 1691. c. 9. entituled, “An Act for a free Trade with Indians,” the enacting clause of which is in the very words of the act of 1705. c. 52. A similar title to an act of that session occurs in the edition of 1733. p. 94. and the chapter is numbered as in the manuscript. If this manuscript be authentic
