[38] Ibid., Sec. 52.
[39] Acts of 1783, Ch. 14, Sec. 2.
[40] It was directed “to take for evidence the confession of the offender, the oath of one or more credible witnesses, or such testimony of negroes, mulattoes or Indians, bond or free, with pregnant circumstances as to them shall seem convincing, without solemnity of jury; and the offender being then found guilty, to pass such judgment upon the offender, according to their discretion, as the nature of the offense may require; and on such judgment to award execution.” Acts of 1741, Ch. 24, Secs. 48-52.
[41] Ibid., Sec. 48.
[42] “All negroes, mulattoes, bond or free, to the third generation, and Indian servants and slaves, shall be deemed to be taken as persons incapable in law to be witnesses in any case whatsoever, except against each other.” Acts of 1746, Ch. 2, Sec. 50.
[43] Bassett, Op. Cit., p. 30.
[44] Acts of 1741, Ch. 24, Sec. 50.
[45] The preamble to this act reads: “Whereas the evil and pernicious practice of freeing slaves in this state, ought at this alarming and critical time to be guarded against by every friend and well-wisher to his country.” Acts of 1777, Ch. 6, Sec. 1.
[46] Acts of 1777, Ch. 6, Sec. 2.
[47] “Whereas before the passing of the said act, and since the sixteenth day of April, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-five, divers evil-minded persons, intending to disturb the public peace, did liberate and set free their slaves, notwithstanding the same was expressly contrary to the laws of this state.” Acts of 1779, Ch. 12, Sec. 1.