IV. The regulations relative to the state and condition of slaves in the
West Indies, their manumission, &c.
[Sidenote: PREAMBLE.]
Whereas it is expedient, and comformable to the principles of true
religion and morality, and to the rules of sound policy, to put an end
to all traffic in the persons of men, and to the detention of their said
persons in a state of slavery, as soon as the same may be effected
without producing great inconveniences in the sudden change of practices
of such long standing, and during the time of the continuance of the
said practices it is desirable and expedient by proper regulations to
lessen the inconveniences and evils attendant on the said traffic and
state of servitude, until both shall be gradually done away:
And whereas the objects of the said trade and consequential servitude,
and the grievances resulting therefrom, come under the principal heads
following, the regulations ought thereto to be severally applied: that
is to say, that provision should be made by the said regulations,
1st, For duly qualifying ships for the said traffic;
2nd, For the mode and conditions of permitting the said trade to be
carried on upon the coast of Africa;
3rd, For the treatment of the negroes in their passage to the West India
islands;
4th, For the government of the negroes which are or shall be employed in
his Majesty's colonies and plantations in the West Indies:
[Sidenote: Ships to be registered.
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