…passed by the General Assembly in the session of October 1705, Virginia's colonial government collects old and establishes new laws with regards to indentured servants and slaves.
— And whereas, many times, slaves run away and lie out, hid or lurking in swamps, woods, and other obscure places, killing hogs, and committing other injuries to the inhabitants of this her majesty's colony and dominion...it is hereby enacted, That in all such cases, upon intelligence given of any slaves lying out...the sheriff of the said county [is empowered], to take such power with him, as he shall think fit and necessary, for the effectual apprehending such out-lying slave or slaves,....And if any slave, that hath run away...shall be apprehended by the sheriff, or any other person...it shall and may be lawful for the county court, to order such punishment to the said slave, either by dismembering, or any other way...as they in their discretion shall think fit, for the reclaiming any such incorrigible slave, and terrifying others from the like practices....That for every slave killed, in pursuance of this act, or put to death by law, the master or owner of such slave shall be paid by the public.... READ MORE.
