The immigration into Canada of those who had been British subjects was ardently desired by the home authorities. To encourage this immigration, the Imperial Parliament in 1790 passed an Act[14] which had some effect in increasing the slave population. Intended to encourage "new settlers in His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America," it applied to all "subjects of the United States." It allowed an importation into any of the Bahama, Bermuda or Somers Islands, the province of Quebec (then including all Canada), Nova Scotia and every other British territory in North America. It allowed the importation by such American subjects of "Negroes, household furniture, utensils of husbandry or cloathing free of duty," the "household furniture, utensils of husbandry and cloathing" not to exceed in value L50 for every white person in the family and L2 for each Negro, any sale of Negro or goods within a year of the importation to be void. After the division of the Old Province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada in 1791 the course of slavery was different.[15] It seems appropriate to close this chapter by adding a number of available advertisements including some of runaway apprentices.[16] Il s'est enfui de chez les Soussignes, la nuit du 12 du courant, Un Negre Esclave nomme POMPE d'environ cinq pieds cinq pouces d'hauteur, robuste, il a ete achete dernierement de M. Perras, negociant de cette ville; il avoit sur lui quand il a decampe un gilet et des culottes brunes: Celui qui le ramenera aura HUIT PIASTRES de Recompense, et les frais raisonnables qu'il aura faits. Quiconque le retirera chez lui sera poursuivi suivant la derniere rigueur de la Loi, par JOHNSTON & PURSS. RUN-AWAY from the subscribers, in the Night of the 12th inst. a Sailor Negro Slave named POMPEY, about 5 Feet, 5 Inches high, and is Robust; he was lately bought of Mr. Perras, Merchant in this Town; had on when he went away a brown Jacket and Breeches. Whoever brings him to the Subscribers shall have EIGHT DOLLARS Reward and reasonable Charges paid. Any Person Harbouring him will be prosecuted according to the utmost Rigor of the Law, by JOHNSTON & PURSS.