Papers and Correspondence One Volume (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1826 Excerpt: ...A.--By the laws of this island, no offence committed by a slave is capital, which is not go by the laws of England. All such offences as are capital, if committed by white or free persons, are capital, if committed by slaves, viz. treason, murder, robbery, rape, arson, shooting at, cutting, 8tc. under Lord Ellenborough's act, which has been adopted here; sheep stealing, under act N4oi; setting fire to canes. By N' a and 52, slaves were made liable to the punishment of death for maiming, bruising or wounding a white person, and for absenting themselves six months from their owner's service; but these clauses, though not repealed, have never, within my recollection, been acted upon. NEVIS. A.--As contra-distinguished from those which may be committed by'other persons, in common with them, the following; viz. 1st. Wounding or maiming a white person is felony within clergy: but see the act. ad. Running away, and going off the island, felony within clergy.--N. B. owners or lawful possessors only can prosecute. 3d. Carrying off another slave, without lawful licence, from the island, in any boat, canoe, or bark; felony within clergy. 4th. Travelling or wandering with fire, lighted torches, smoking tobacco, or by other means burning (not from accident, without any malicious or mischievous intention, ) or attempting to burn, any stock of ground canes, dried cane-tops or trash; felony within clergy. 5th.--Practising, or pretending to practise, obeah; possessing, keeping, preparing, advising or wilfully administering drugs, &c. in the practice of obeah or otherwise; or injuring, or attempting to injure, the health or life of any person thereby, or in such practice, or otherwise; felonies within clergy.--N. B. This act extends to all negroet or coloured persons, but...