"An Act authorizing the manumission of negroes, mulattoes, and others, and for the gradual abolition of slavery." Persons born after March, 1784, to be free. Bill framed pursuant to a petition of Quakers. _Colonial Records_, X. 7-8; Arnold, _History of Rhode Island_, II. 503. ~1784, March 26. South Carolina: L3 and L5 Duty Act.~ "An Act for levying and collecting certain Duties," etc. Cooper, _Statutes_, IV. 607. ~1785, April 12. New York: Partial Prohibition.~ "An Act granting a bounty on hemp to be raised within this State, and imposing an additional duty on sundry articles of merchandise, and for other purposes therein mentioned." " ... _And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid_, That if any negro or other person to be imported or brought into this State from any of the United States or from any other place or country after the first day of June next, shall be sold as a slave or slaves within this State, the seller or his or her factor or agent, shall be deemed guilty of a public offence, and shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds lawful money of New York, to be recovered by any person," etc. "_And be it further enacted_ ... That every such person imported or brought into this State and sold contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act shall be freed." _Laws of New York, 1785-88_ (ed. 1886), pp. 120-21. ~1785. Rhode Island: Restrictive Measure (?).~ Title and text not found. Cf. _Public Laws of Rhode Island_ (revision of 1822), p. 441. ~1786, March 2. New Jersey: Importation Prohibited.~ "An Act to prevent the importation of Slaves into the State of New Jersey, and to authorize the Manumission of them under certain restrictions, and to prevent the Abuse of Slaves." "Whereas the Principles of Justice and Humanity require that the barbarous Custom of bringing the unoffending African from his native Country and Connections into a State of Slavery ought to be discountenanced, and as soon as possible prevented; and sound Policy also requires, in order to afford ample Support to such of the Community as depend upon their Labour for their daily Subsistence, that the Importation of Slaves into this State from any other State or Country whatsoever, ought to be prohibited under certain Restrictions; and that such as are under Servitude in the State ought to be protected by Law from those Exercises of Wanton Cruelty too often practiced upon them; and that every unnecessary Obstruction in the Way of freeing Slaves should be removed; therefore,