Note 687 — Chapter XII · OBLIGATORY CIVIL MARRIAGE IN THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES (continued 2)

Of the bill for the act of 1705 Sewall writes: "Deputies send in a Bill against fornication or Marriage of White men with Negros or Indians; with extraordinary penalties.... If it be pass'd, I fear twill be an O[=p]ression provoking to God, and that which will promote Murders and other Abominations. I have got the Indians out of the Bill, and some mitigation for them [the Negroes] left in it, and the clause about their Masters not denying their Marriage." Diary: in 5 Mass. Hist. Coll., VI, 143.