The Importation of Slaves Is Prohibited, 1808

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Stoles of America io Cmzgress assembled, That from and after the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eight, it shall not be lawful to import or bring into the United States or the territories tbereof from any foreign kingdom, place, or country, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, with intent to hold, sell, or dispose of such negro, mulatto, or person of colour, as a slave, or to be held to service or labour.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That no citizen or citizens of the United States, or any other person, shall, from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, for himself, or themselves, or any other person whatsoever, either as master, factor, or owner, build, fit, equip, load or otherwise prepare any ship or vessel, in any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, nor shall cause any ship or vessel to sail from any port or place within the same, for the purpose of procuring any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, from any foreign kingdom, place, or country, to be transported to any port or place whatsoever, within the jurisdiction of the United States, to be held, sold, or disposed of as slaves, or to be held to service or labour; and if any ship or vessel shall be so fitted out for the purpose aforesaid, or shall be caused to sail so as aforesaid, every such ship or vessel, her tackle, apparel, and furniture, shall be forfeited to the United States, and shall be liable to be seized, prosecuted, and condemned in any of the circuit courts or district courts, for the district where the said ship or vessel may be found or seized.

U.S. Statute; At Large, II, p. 426

*   *   *   *   *

A Negro Teacher and Preacher Announces the Opening of His School in Raleigh, North Carolina,

in which He Taught Both White and Negro Students, 1808

John Chaves takes this method of informing his Employers, and the Citizens of Raleigh in general, that the present Quarter of his School will end the i5th of September, and the next will commence on the I9th. He will, at the same time, open an Evening School for the purpose of instructing Children of Colour, as he intends, for the accommodation of some of his employers, to exclude all Children of Colour from his Day School.  The Evening School will commence at an hour by Sun. When the white children leave the House, those of colour will take their places, and continue until ten o'clock.

The terms of teaching the white children will be as usual, two and a half dollars per quarter; these of colour, one dollar and three quarters. In both cases, the whole of the money to be paid in advance to Mr. Benjamin S. King. Those who produce Certificates from him of their having paid the money, will be admitted.

Those who think proper to put their Children under his care, may rely upon the strictest attention being paid, not only to their Education but to their Morals, which he deems an important part of Education.

Aug.23, 1808.

He hopes to have a better School House by the commencement of the next quarter.

The Raleigh Register, August 20, 1808.

*   *   *   *   *