Laws/Ordinances

Jamaica Slave Code:
Laws Declaring Act

(1664)

“An Act declareing the Laws of England in force in this Island”

 

About

This document is one of several that shows how the structures of government were set, and in particular structures governing the relationship between slaves, servants and masters, in the royal colony of Jamaica. The creation of these acts reflect the colonial government’s efforts to instill order on the island by employing the laws of England, by regulating the actions of slaves, servants, and masters, and by setting up structures to compel subjects on the island to reinforce the development of the (slave) labor system.


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Sources
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Slavery Law & Power in Early America and the British Empire (November 9, 2024) Jamaica: Laws Declaring Act (1664). Retrieved from https://slaverylawpower.org/jamaica-laws-declaring-act-1664/.
"Jamaica: Laws Declaring Act (1664)." Slavery Law & Power in Early America and the British Empire - November 9, 2024, https://slaverylawpower.org/jamaica-laws-declaring-act-1664/
Slavery Law & Power in Early America and the British Empire August 21, 2022 Jamaica: Laws Declaring Act (1664)., viewed November 9, 2024,<https://slaverylawpower.org/jamaica-laws-declaring-act-1664/>
Slavery Law & Power in Early America and the British Empire - Jamaica: Laws Declaring Act (1664). [Internet]. [Accessed November 9, 2024]. Available from: https://slaverylawpower.org/jamaica-laws-declaring-act-1664/
"Jamaica: Laws Declaring Act (1664)." Slavery Law & Power in Early America and the British Empire - Accessed November 9, 2024. https://slaverylawpower.org/jamaica-laws-declaring-act-1664/
"Jamaica: Laws Declaring Act (1664)." Slavery Law & Power in Early America and the British Empire [Online]. Available: https://slaverylawpower.org/jamaica-laws-declaring-act-1664/. [Accessed: November 9, 2024]
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Content Warning

Please be aware that many of the works in this project contain racist and offensive language and descriptions of punishment and enslavement that may be difficult to read. However, this language and these descriptions reveal the horrors of slavery. Please take care when transcribing these materials, and see our Ethics Statement and About page.

An Act declareing the Laws of England in force in this Island

Bee it declared by the Governor councell & assembly & by the authority of the same that all the Laws & statutes heretofore made in our Native Country the Kingdome of England for the publique weale of the Same And all the liberties previledges minintres(?) and freedoms conteyned(contained) therein have allwayes bin of force and are belonging unto all his Maties(Majesty’s?) [UNCLEAR] people within this Island as theyre Byrthright and that the same ever were now are and ever shall bee deemed good and effectuall in the Law  And that the same shall bee accepted used and executed within his his Maties(Majesty’s?) Island of Jamaica in all points & at all times requisite according to the tennor(tenor?) & true meaning of them (except inslonely(?) such statutes ar(are?) soe much of them whereby any subsidies Loanes Aides or other Impositions are grannted(granted?) or made, Provided Nevertheles and it is hereby further declared and enacted by the authority aforesaid that the said Laws and Statutes may at any time hereafter, by the Governor, Councell and Assembly bee Mittigated altered lessened or enlarged according as the Constitution of this place shall require and as it shall seem requisite & necessary to the respective generall Assembly then in being.

Consented to by the [UNCLEAR] of the assembly
TWhitstone Speaker

Past the Councell the 10th
Of [UNCLEAR] 1664

Consented to this
Tho: Modyford

EARLY ACCESS:  Transcription is under editorial review and may contain errors.
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