In 1668 we meet with the first traces of emancipation, in an act which subjects Negroe women set free to the tax on titheables [1668. c. 7.]. Two years after [1670. c. 5.], an act passed prohibiting _Indians_ or Negroes, manumitted, or otherwise set free, though baptized, from purchasing Christian servants [1670. c. 12.]. From this act it is evident that _Indians_ had _before_ that time been made slaves, as well as Negroes, though we have no traces of the original act by which they were reduced to that condition. An act of the same session recites that disputes had arisen whether Indians taken in war by any other nation, and by that nation sold to the English, are servants for _life_, or for a term of years; and declaring that all _servants_, not being Christians, imported into this country by _shipping_, shall be _slaves_ for their life-time; but that what shall come by land, shall serve, if boys and girls, until thirty years of age; if men and women twelve years, and no longer. On a rupture with the Indians in the year 1679 it was, for the _better encouragement 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.[12] In October 1778 the general assembly passed the first act which occurs in our code for prohibiting the importation of slaves [1778. c. 1.]; thereby declaring that no slave should thereafter be brought into this commonwealth by land, or by water; and that every slave imported contrary thereto, should upon such importation be free: with an exception as to such as might belong to persons migrating from the other states, or be claimed by descent, devise, or marriage, or be at that time the actual property of any citizen of this commonwealth, residing in any other of the United States, or belonging to travellers making a transient stay, and carrying their slaves away with them.--In 1705 this act unfortunately underwent some alteration, by declaring that slaves thereafter brought into this commonwealth, and kept therein one whole _year together_, or so long at different times as shall _amount to