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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC00697 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1807 |
| Title | An Act concerning the introduction of Negroes & Mulattoes into this Territory |
| Date | 17 September 1807 |
| Author | Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841) |
| Additional authors | Thomas, Jesse Burgess (1777-1853) |
| Document Type | Legal document |
| Content Description | Clerical copy (not written or signed by Harrison). Pertains to the Indiana Territory. Also signed in the clerical hand by Jesse B. Thomas as Speaker of the House of Representatives and B. Chambers as President of the Council. Written while Harrison was Territorial Governor of Indiana. Law divided up into 14 sections. Says Negro and mulatto slaves over the age of 15 still "owing service and labor as slaves in any of the States or Territories," may be brought into the Indiana Territory. States that slaves must be registered with the county clerk within 30 days of entering the territory and certify how long that service will be. If the slave refuses to work the owner may take them out of the territory. Notes that if a person acquires a slave under the age of 15, it is lawful to hold a male until the age of 35 and a female to the age of 32. Must reregister within 30 days if they move to another county in the territory. Allows for 50 dollar fine if a slave is not registered. Must also provide a security of $500 to the clerk to insure that the Negro or mulatto will not become a "County Charge." The children of any bound Negro or mulatto will have to serve the owner of the indenture: males until age 30 and females to age 28. Says the law pertaining to apprentices in Indiana will be in force for these children. |
| Subjects | African American History President Law Government and Civics Genealogy Westward Expansion Slavery Emancipation Children and Family Women's History Indentured Servant |
| People | Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841) Thomas, Jesse Burgess (1777-1853) |
| Theme | African Americans; Native Americans; The Presidency; Law; Government & Politics; Westward Expansion; Slavery & Abolition; Children & Family; Women in American History |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |