"_Act against importation of slaves_--"No Indian, negro, or mulatto slave shall at any time hereafter be brought or imported into this State, by sea or land, from any place or places whatsoever, to be disposed of, left or sold, within this State."[449] The above bill was brief, but pointed; and showed that Connecticut was the only one of the New-England colonies that had the honesty and courage to legislate against slavery. And the patriotism and incomparable valor of the Negro soldiers of Connecticut, who proudly followed the Continental flag through the fires of the Revolutionary War, proved that they were worthy of the humane sentiment that demanded the Act of 1774. FOOTNOTES: [435] In the Capital Laws of Connecticut, passed on the 1st of December, 1642, the tenth law reads as follows. "10. If any man stealeth a man or mankind, he shall be put to death. Ex. 21 16." But this was the law in Massachusetts, and yet slavery existed there for one hundred and forty-three (143) years. [436] Conn. Col. Recs., 1678-89, p. 293. [437] Ibid., p. 298. [438] Conn Col Recs., 1689-1706, p. 40 [439] Ibid. 1689-1706, pp. 375, 376. [440] Conn. Col. Recs., 1706-16, p. 52. [441] Ibid., pp 51, 53. [442] Conn. Col. Recs., 1706-16, p. 233. [443] Conn. Col. Recs., 1717-25, pp. 390, 391. [444] Ibid., 1726-35, p. 290. [445] Conn. Col. Recs., 1706-16, pp. 515, 516. [446] Hazard, State Papers, vol. ii. pp. 1-6. [447] Conn. Col. Recs., vol. i. p. 349. [448] Pres. Stiles's MSS. [449] Freedom and Bondage, vol. i. pp. 272, 273. CHAPTER XIX. THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND. 1647-1775.