Act for imposing a duty on the importation of slaves into Massachusetts (draft), [20 March?] 1767
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@ Massachusetts Historical Society
Description
This is a draft of a bill to impose a duty on the importation of slaves into Massachusetts, an attempt to curtail or eliminate the slave trade. The Massachusetts legislature voted on the bill between 17-20 March 1767. If approved, the bill was to have taken effect from April 1767 to April 1768, but it was "unanimously non-concurred." It is signed by Thomas Cushing (1725-1788), the speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. This bill is very similar to another manuscript draft act. (See the online presentation of the draft act, [April 1767]). From the Bowdoin-Temple papers in the Winthrop family papers This act is comprised of 4 pages and 2 attachments; (6 pages total).
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