Such was the legal status of the slave in Pennsylvania. Before 1700 it was ill defined, but probably much like that of the servant, having only the distinctive incident of perpetual service, and the developing incident of the transmission of servile condition to offspring. Gradually it became altogether different. To the slave now appertained a number of incidents of lower status. He was tried in separate courts, subject to special judges, and punished with different penalties. Admixture with white people was sternly prohibited. He was subject to restrictions upon movement, conduct, and action. He could be corrected with corporal punishment. The slave legislation of Pennsylvania involved discriminations based both upon inferior status, and what was regarded as inferior race. Nevertheless it will be shown that in most respects the punishments and restrictions imposed upon negro slaves were either similar to those imposed upon white servants, or involved discriminations based upon the inability of the slave to pay a fine, and upon the fact that mere imprisonment punished the master alone. Moreover, what harshness there was must be ascribed partly to the spirit of the times, which made harsher laws for both white men and black men. The slave code almost never comprehended any cruel or unusual punishments. As a legal as well as a social system slavery in Pennsylvania was mild. FOOTNOTES: /#[7.2,70] [52] Throughout this work the fundamental distinction between the words "slave" and "servant," as used in the text, is that "slave" denotes a person held for life, "servant" a person held for a term of years only.] [53] _Cf._ O'Callaghan, _Voyages of the Slavers St. John and Arms of Amsterdam_, etc., 100, for a bill of sale, 1646. Sprinchorn, _Kolonien Nya Sveriges Historia_, 217.] [54] MS. Record of the Court at Upland in Penn., Sept. 25, 1676.] [55] "No Christian shall be kept in Bondslavery villenage or Captivity, Except Such who shall be Judged thereunto by Authority, or such as willingly have sould, or shall sell themselves," ... _Laws of the Province of Pennsylvania ... preceded by the Duke of York's Laws_, etc., 12. This is not to prejudice any masters "who have ... Apprentices for Terme of Years, or other Servants for Term of years or Life." _Ibid._, 12. Another clause directs that "No Servant, except such are duly so for life, shall be Assigned over to other Masters ... for above the Space of one year, unless for good reasons offered". _Ibid._, 38.]