"The height, sometimes, between decks, was only eighteen inches; so that the
unfortunate human beings could not turn around, or even on their sides, the
elevation being less than the breadth of their shoulders; and here they are
usually chained to the decks by the neck and legs. In such a place the sense of
misery and suffocation is so great, that the Negroes... are driven to frenzy."
-Anonymous (Describing the conditions on the slave ships)
"Whereas many times slaves run away and lie hid and lurking in swamps, woods, and
other obscure places, killing hogs, and commiting other injuries to the
inhabitants... if the slave does not immediately return, anyone whatsoever may
kill or destroy such slaves by such ways and means as he... shall think fit...
If the slave is apprehended... it shall... be lawful for the county court, to
order such punishment for the said slave, either by dismembering, or in any
other way... as they in their discretion shall think fit, for the reclaiming any
such incorrigible slave, and terrifying others from the like practices..."
-Virginia Slave Code (1770's)
"Virginia's ruling class, having proclaimed that all white men were superior to
black, went on to offer their social (but white) inferiors a number of benefits
previously denied them. In 1705 a law was passed requiring masters to provide
white servants whose indenture time was up with ten bushels of corn, thirty
shillings, and a gun, while women servants were to get 15 bushels of corn and
forty shillings. Also, the newly freed servants were to get 50 acres of land."
-Slave Codes by the Virginia Assembly