[10] The 7th clause enacts, that “_in order to secure, as far as possible, the good treatment of the Slaves, and to ascertain the cause of the decrease of the Slaves_, every owner, overseer, &c. shall, in the month of January every year, deliver in on oath a certificate of the increase or decrease of the Slaves under his direction, how many have been born, or how many have died, within twelve months previous thereto, and the cause of the death of such Slaves; _which certificate shall be lodged in the Secretary’s office of this island_; for the filing of which the Secretary shall be allowed a fee of ninepence: and _if any owner, &c. shall fail to deliver in such certificate on oath at the time appointed, he shall be fined in the sum of fifty pounds_.” The 8th clause enacts, that Slaves, convicted of murder, highway robbery, or burglary, shall suffer death. [11] These clauses run thus: “_Whereas a knowledge of the doctrines, and a due attention to the exercise of the duties of the Christian religion, would tend to improve the morals, and to advance the temporal and eternal happiness of the Slaves_, it is enacted, that all owners, overseers, &c. shall, on every Sunday on their several plantations, convene together the Slaves for the purpose of performing divine worship, and _shall not fail to exhort_ all unbaptized Slaves to receive the holy sacrament of baptism; and all the unbaptized children of Slaves shall receive the said sacrament: and _on neglect of these duties_ the owners, &c. _shall be fined in not less than 10l. nor more than 25l._ And all owners, &c. shall _encourage and exhort all Slaves_, arrived at years of maturity, and desirous of entering into a connubial state, _to receive the ceremony of Christian marriage, and in neglect of doing so shall be subject to a fine 5l._” [12] Papers, &c. page 34.