Black History: Slave Codes

Slaves were forbidden to leave the owner's property unless they obtained permission or were accompanied by a white person. Any slave attempting to run away and leave the colony received the death penalty. Any slave who evaded capture for 20 days or more was to be publicly whipped for the first offense; to be branded with the letter "R" on the right cheek for the second offense; to lose one ear if absent for 30 days for the third offense; and to be castrated for the fourth offense. Owners refusing to abide by the slave code were fined and forfeited ownership of their slaves. Slave homes were searched every two weeks for weapons or stolen goods. Punishment for violations included loss of ears, branding, nose-slitting, and death. No slave was allowed to work for pay; plant corn, peas, or rice; keep hogs, cattle, or horses; own or operate a boat; or buy, sell, or wear clothes finer than "Negro cloth.” No slave could be taught to write, work on Sunday, or work more than 15 hours per day in summer and 14 hours in the winter. The fine for concealing runaway slaves was 1,000 pounds and a prison sentence of up to one year. A fine of 100 pounds and six months in prison were imposed for employing any black or slave as a clerk, for selling or giving alcoholic beverages to slaves, and for teaching a slave to read and write. Freeing a slave was forbidden, except by deed, and after 1820, only by permission of the legislature.