Indian slaves were recognized as property in all the English colonies, and were openly bought and sold at both public and private sales like negroes and other property.[746] They were advertised in the colonial newspapers with statements of their qualifications and ability for work, their ages, and sometimes descriptions of their personal appearance. From the New England newspapers it is apparent that for a time dealers advertised such slaves for sale openly in their own names.[747] Later the possible purchaser was directed by the advertisement to “inquire of the Printer and know further”, or to “inquire at the Post Office”.[748] It was not uncommon for slaves offered for sale to choose their future owner from those who desired to purchase them,[749] or to approve the bill of sale.[750] Like other property, real or personal, Indian slaves could be given away by word of mouth or by “last will and testament”. One of the earliest of such wills on record is that of Governor John Winthrop of Massachusetts, made in 1639, by which he gave to his son Adam, Governor’s Island and with it “also my Indians thereon”.[751] In South Carolina where Indian slaves were most numerous, the records of their disposal by will are frequent.[752] The custom, in fact, was universal in the colonies.[753] Indian slaves were listed in the various colonies in the inventories of estates along with indentured servants of unexpired terms[754] and negro slaves.[755] They were taken like other chattels in payment for debt, and in certain of the colonies provision was made by law regarding the matter. South Carolina, February 7, 1690, decreed that a slave was to be taken like any other chattel as payment for debt.[756] Maryland, 1729, passed an act to the effect that no slave should be taken for any debt due from the deceased so long as there should be any other goods sufficient for the purpose.[757] In those colonies where legislation makes no mention of the matter, it is known from the history of negro slavery that the custom was similar to that of Carolina.