fortunately another of the same kind, from the society of
Quakers, presented at a former session, was then lying on the
table. All these were brought up together ; and the effect
was, an act passed March 26, 1788, "to prevent the slave
trade, and for granting relief to the families of such unhappy
persons as may be kidnapped or decoyed away from this
commonwealth." By this law it is enacted, "that no citi-
zen, residing within this commonwealth, shall, for himself
or any other person, either as master, factor, supercargo,
owner, or hirer, in whole or in part, of any vessel, directly or
indirectly, import, or transport, or buy or sell, or receive on
board his or their vessel, with intent to cause to be transport-
ed or imported, any of the inhabitants of any state or king-
dom in Africa, as slaves, or servants for term of years, on
penalty of fifty pounds, for every person so received on board,
with intent to be imported or transported, and two hundred
pounds for every vessel fitted out with such intent, or so em-
ployed ;" and "all insurance made on such vessels shall be
void." It also further provides for the friends of any person
decoyed away, to bring an action, and recover damages,
which shall be paid to the injured person at his return, or go
to the maintenance of his wife and children. A prohibitory
act of the same nature had a few months before been passed
in the state of Rhode-Island, and soon after another was
passed in Connecticut.

This was the utmost which could be done by our legisla-
tures ; we still have to regret the impossibility of making a
law here, which shall restrain our citizens from carrying on
this trade in foreign bottoms, and from committing the crimes
which this act prohibits, in foreign countries, as it is said some
of them have done since the enacting of these laws. But a
stigma will ever attend their names, and I hope conscience
will do its office, and be seasonably heard.

The three blacks, who were decoyed, were offered for sale
at the Danish island of St. Bartholomew : They told their
story publickly, which coming to the ears of the governor,
he prevented the sale. A Mr. ATHERTON, of the island,
generously became bound for their good behaviour for six
months ; in which time letters came, informing of their
case ; and they were permitted to return. They arrived at
Boston on the 29th of July following ; and it was a day of
jubilee, not only among their countrymen, but all the friends
of justice and humanity.