Passed after the Stono Rebellion of 1739, the Negro Act of 1740 (often called the Slave Code) remained the basic
slave law of South Carolina until the Civil War finally ended slavery in the state. Read the paraphrased excerpts below
and answer the questions that follow (use the back of this sheet if you need more room than what is given):
A.
All blacks and mulattoes (people of mixed ancestry) were to be considered slaves unless they could prove
that they were born free or had been manumitted (legally freed). Children of slave mothers were to be
slaves; of free mothers, free.
B.
No slave could leave his master’s property without a pass, and any slave caught off his master’s property
could be challenged by any white man. If the slave resisted capture, he could legally be killed.
C.
No slave was to be allowed to carry firearms except in company with his master or some other white man.
D.
A slave attempting to leave the province (colony) without permission was subject to the death penalty…
E.
For striking a white person, a slave could be punished at the discretion of the local magistrate (judge);
and for a third offense, he could be executed.
F.
Slaves executed were to be paid for out of the provincial treasury
G.
Slaves were not allowed to own horses, cattle or hogs, boats or canoes; nor were they permitted to grow
their own food or carry on trade for their own profit. Slaves were not allowed to dress in a way above the
conditions of slaves.
H.
Slaves were not allowed to learn to read and write.
I.
Slaves were not allowed to gather without white supervision.
Slave Owners were:
J.
Required to participate in nightly patrols to prevent illegal slave travel or meetings
K.
Banned from freeing slaves without permission of the colonial government.
1.
Who were considered slaves in Colonial South Carolina?
2.
What determined whether a person was born a slave or free person?
3.
What were two offenses for which a slave could receive the death sentence?
4.
Why do you think slaves were not allowed to grow their own food or own horses, boats, or canoes?
5.
Why do you think slaves were not allowed to “gather without white supervision”?
6.
Why do you think slaves were not allowed to learn to read and write?
7.
Why do you think slave owners were banned from freeing their slaves without government permission?
8.
After reading this excerpt from the Slave Code of 1740, what do you think were the main purposes of the
code? State your answer in one word.