GEORGIA.
Georgia passed a law against the importation of slaves in 1793.[325] This seemed to apply only to slaves imported from without the United States. In 1798 a new constitution was framed which provided "that there shall be no importation of slaves into this State from Africa or any foreign place after the first of October next."[326]
In 1817 the following was enacted:
"It shall not be lawful, except in cases herein authorized and allowed for any person or persons whatever to bring, import or introduce into this State, to aid, or assist, or knowingly to become concerned or interested in bringing, importing or introducing into this State, either by land or by water, or in any manner whatsoever, any slave or slaves." Citizens of Georgia and those of other States coming to Georgia to live were permitted to bring in slaves for their own use. Before importing them they were required to make oath before the proper authorities that they were not imported for sale, or hire, lend, or mortgage. The act was not to extend to travellers.[327] This act was repealed in 1824 and slaves then were imported and disposed of without restriction.[328] The law of 1817 was revised in 1829; modified in 1836; again repealed in 1841; revived again in 1842.[329]
In 1835 a law was enacted making any one subject to fine and imprisonment who should bring into Georgia any male slave who had been to a non-slave-holding State or to any foreign country.[330]
In 1849 "all laws and parts of laws, civil and criminal, forbidding or in any manner restricting the importation of slaves into this State from any other slave-holding State" were repealed. Cities and towns were given the right to regulate the sale of slaves by traders, and to prescribe the places in their jurisdiction where slaves might be kept and sold.[331] In 1852 so much of this law as had reference to importation of slaves was repealed and the act of 1817 was revived.[332] But the penitentiary imprisonment clause was eliminated. The law of 1852 was repealed by the Legislature of 1855-6 and the act of 1849 was revived thus again opening the State to the unrestricted importation of slaves.[333]
MARYLAND.
In 1783 Maryland prohibited the importation of slaves. It was amended in 1791 and also in 1794.[334] In 1796 the General Assembly of Maryland enacted: "That it shall not be lawful, from and after the passing of this act to import or bring into this State, by land or water, any negro, mulatto, or other slave, for sale, or to reside within this State; and any person brought into this State as a slave contrary to this act, if a slave before, shall thereupon immediately cease to be the property of the person or persons so importing or bringing such slave within the State, and shall be free."
Immigrants to the State were allowed to bring in their own slaves, at the time of removal or within one year afterward. It was required that these slaves should have been within the United States three years.[335] In 1797 this law was modified in favor of those coming into Maryland to reside. In 1810 a law was passed to prevent those who were slaves for a limited time from being sold out of the State.[336]