Attempts to Restrict the Movement of Slaves

Whereas information hath been given to this Court that the too Careles and inconsiderable Liberty given to Negroes, not only in being p'mitted to mete together upon Satterdayes & Sundayes, whereby they wine opportunity to consult of unlawfull p'jects & combinations to the danger & damage of the neighbours, as well as to theire Masters, and Also that the apparrell comonly worne by negroes doth as well Highten theire foolish pride as induse them to steale fine Linninge & other ornaments, for the p'vention whereof itt is hereby ord'd & published to the Inhabitants of this county that the Act of Assembly for p'vention of serv'ts goeing abroard be put in due execution & from hence forth Noe negro shall be allowed to weare any white Linninge, but shall weare blew shirts and shifts that they may be herby discovered if they steale or weare other Linninge, & if the Master of any Negro shall p'tend that blew is not to be had for men & women Negros for their shifts & shirts, caps or neckclothes, then he shall supply that want in course Lockerham or Canvis, & this to be duly observed untill a by law be made to confirme the same.