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At first Slaves or "Black Men" were not considered citizens in America. They had no legal rights in this country.
"Slaves … had no head in the state, no name, title or register: nor could they take by purchase or descent;
they had no heirs, and therefore could make no will:… whatever they acquired was their master's: they could not plead
nor be pleaded for, but were excluded from all civil concerns whatsoever:…they were not entitled to the rights and considerations
of matrimony, and, therefore, had no relief in the case of adultery:…they could be sold, transferred, or pawned as goods
of personal estate …" This quote was taken by George M. Stroud.
"Negro womens children to serve according to the condition of the mother. WHEREAS some doubts have arrisen whether
children got by any Englishman upon a negro woman should be slave or free, Be it therefore enacted and declared by this present
grand assembly, that all children borne in this country shall be held bond or free only according to the condition of the
mother, And that if any christian shall committ fornication with a negro man or woman, hee or shee offending shall pay double
the fines imposed by the former act" This was taken from the ACT XII December, 1662.
"An act about the causal killing of slaves. WHEREAS the only law in force for the punishment of refractory servants
resisting their master, mistris or overseer cannot be inflicted upon negroes, nor the obstinancy of many of them by then violent
means supprest, Be it enacted and declared by this grand assembly, if any slave resist his master (or other by his masters
order correcting him) and by the extremity of the correction should chance to die, that his death shall not be accompted by
felony, but the master (or that other person appointed by the master to punish him) be acquit from molestation, since it cannot
be presumed that prepensed malice (which alone makes murther felony) should induce any man to destroy his owne estate" This
was taken from the ACT 1 October, 1669.
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Prop VI. " The slave, being personal chattel, is at all times liable to be sold absolutely, or mortgaged or leased,
at the will of his master"
Prop. XI "Slaves cannot redeem themselves, nor obtain a change of masters, though cruel treatment may have rendered
such change necessary for their personal safety"
Prop. X. "Slaves being objects of property, if injured by third persons, their owners, may bring suit, and recover damages
for the injury."
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Prop. XI "Slaves can make no contract."
Prop. XII Slavery is heriditary and perpetual" (George M. Stroud, A Sketch of the Laws Relating to Slavery.
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