Note 10 — Front matter
Reading edition
The 7th clause enacts, that “in order to secure, as far as possible, the good treatment of the Slaves, and to ascertain the cause of the decrease of the Slaves, every owner, overseer, &c. shall, in the month of January every year, deliver in on oath a certificate of the increase or decrease of the Slaves under his direction, how many have been born, or how many have died, within twelve months previous thereto, and the cause of the death of such Slaves; which certificate shall be lodged in the Secretary’s office of this island; for the filing of which the Secretary shall be allowed a fee of ninepence: and if any owner, &c. shall fail to deliver in such certificate on oath at the time appointed, he shall be fined in the sum of fifty pounds.” The 8th clause enacts, that Slaves, convicted of murder, highway robbery, or burglary, shall suffer death.