A Letter to the Hon. Whitemarsh B. Seabrook, of St. John's Colleton: In Explanation and Defence of "an Act to Amend the Law in Relation to Slaves and Free Persons of Color"

by Edward R. Laurens

Excerpt from A Letter to the Hon. Whitemarsh B. Seabrook, of St. John's Colleton

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, now met and Sitting in General Assembly, and by the authority of the same. 1. If any person shall hereafter teach any slave or free person of color to read or write, or aid or assist in the teaching of any slave or free per son of color to read or write, or cause or procure any slave or free person of color to be taught to read or write, such person, upon convio tion thereof, shall for each and every offence against this act, be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars, and imprisoned not more than 6 months, or if a free person of color, shall be whipped not exceeding fifty' lashes, and fined not exceeding fifty dollars, at the discretion of the Court of Magistrates and freeholders, before which such free person of color is tried, and if a slave, shall be whipped at the discretion of the Court, not exceeding fifty lashes, the informer to receive one half of the fine, and to be a competent witness.

28 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2015