On the eve of the Civil War Mississippi ranked as the third largest slaveholding state in the nation with nearly 437,000 slaves. The large number of enslaved people living in the state, representing slightly more than half of Mississippi's total population, was a direct result of the area's highly successful cotton production, the steady westward migration of the nation's population, and a system of laws designed to police, regulate, and control enslaved people as the personal property of their owners.

The history of slavery in Mississippi dates to the early eighteenth century when France controlled the lower-Mississippi River Valley. In 1712, there were about 20 enslaved Africans in the region as well as a larger number of enslaved Indians. The first large importation of enslaved blacks into the Mississippi territory came in 1719, when 500 enslaved Africans, imported from the coast of Guinea to Dauphin Island, were dispersed to landholders. By 1732, the black population had increased to more than 2,000. Recognizing the need to control the lives of enslaved blacks and preserve the security of their colonial holdings, the French passed a set of legal stipulations known as the Code Noir (Black Code) in 1724, which was kept in force with few changes until 1803.

The Code Noir in some ways was more humane than later American laws. For example, slaves were allowed to marry and were given the right to testify against whites with the exception of their owners. Husbands and wives could not be sold separately; nor could a child, younger than age 14, be sold away from his or her mother. Christian blacks could be buried in consecrated ground. More investigation is needed to determine how frequently these protective statutes were enforced, but they did recognize in theory the humanity of the enslaved people in the region. At the same time, the French introduced some extremely barbaric measures to punish wayward blacks. The Code Noir called for cropping ears, branding, and the hamstringing of runaways. Similar punishments would reappear in nineteenth-century American slave laws.

The white and black population of Mississippi continued to grow after France ceded its colony to Spain in 1762 as immigrants from the American colonies, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, flocked to the promising agricultural slave-labor frontier. In 1798, the Mississippi territory came under American control, and a comprehensive set of statutes was passed to regulate the enslaved laborers, encompassing in the process such issues as manumission, crime, the carrying of weapons, freedom of assembly, and protection of slaves from cruel or unusual punishment. One statute, for example, made it illegal to import slaves from outside the United States. Over time, the statutes, under state law, became increasingly more specific, detailing how, for example, how disobedient slaves were to be punished (a whipping of 39 lashes became a standard form of punishment). Slave patrols were established in 1811 in response to an uprising of slaves in nearby Louisiana. By 1819, fearful of importing rebellious and difficult-to-handle enslaved blacks, Mississippi required slave traders to certify that their enslaved charges were men and women of good character.

More and more settlers from the upper South began flocking to the dark, rich alluvial soils of Mississippi after Andrew Jackson's defeat of the Creek Indians in 1814. The state's cotton economy boomed in the 1820s as large numbers of slaves were imported to work the cotton fields. From 1810 to 1820, the enslaved population on the Mississippi frontier grew by more than 90 percent. By 1830, the slave population rose to nearly 66,000 persons. Between 1830 and 1840, Mississippi's white population grew by a whopping 154 percent, while the state's slave population grew by 197 percent. Good soil and Mississippi's slave labor force made the state's economic growth possible. By 1860, Mississippi had become the nation's leading cotton state with a production of 1.2 million bales.

Most of Mississippi's enslaved people were brought by force to the state from the upper South. A declining plantation economy in the upper South based on tobacco resulted in a large surplus of enslaved people in Virginia and Maryland. Mississippi and other rapidly growing lower-South states offered a ready marketplace for the excess slaves, the sale of which helped planters in the upper South remain solvent. During the last decade of slavery more than a 250,000 enslaved blacks--some 60 percent of the upper-South's enslaved population--were exported from Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina to the cotton kingdom states of the southwest frontier. Many of these enslaved people were carried to or passed through Mississippi.

While some enslaved blacks migrated with their owners in search of more productive land, many were sold to professional slave traders who herded groups of enslaved people in caravans--called coffles--southward. Enslaved blacks--often separated from their families--were either transported by foot to Mississippi or by ship to New Orleans. Many of the blacks who traveled by land walked the Natchez Trace, a well-worn path used by Indians and pioneers during the prior century. Roped together or chained up with iron padlocks, the enslaved people trudged sometimes 20 to 25 miles a day. For many, their destination was The Forks-of-the-Road slave market, in Natchez, Mississippi, one of the busiest slave markets in the lower South. An Englishman watched one such caravan of slaves headed to Louisiana and Mississippi in 1834:

"I had never seen so revolting a sight before. Black men in fetters, torn from the lands where they were born, form the ties they had formed ... and driven by white men, with liberty and equality in their mouths, to a distant and unhealthy country to perish in the sugar mills of Louisiana where the duration of life for a sugar mill slave does not exceed seven years."

Enslaved blacks that ended up in Mississippi found life on the southern frontier cruel, rough, and deadly. Frequent yellow fever and cholera epidemics threatened the lives of both white and black Mississippians. One female Mississippi slaveholder wrote that "the negroes die off every few years" ... it was a "sickly country." The life expectancy for a 20-year-old black male in Mississippi in 1850 was 37 years, while white males could expect to live two years longer. Infant mortality rates among black children were frighteningly high and more than double that of the white population.

Those enslaved blacks that survived the hardships of the coffle and life on the southwest frontier led a tightly regulated life with few if any personal freedoms allowed. Slave laws passed between 1798 and 1857 kept a tight leash on the enslaved population. In 1822, a comprehensive slave code with some 86 statutes was passed governing nearly every aspect of slave life. Enslaved blacks were declared the personal property of their masters--similar to animals and tools--and were prohibited from trading goods, cultivating their own cotton, or consuming liquor.

The numerous statutes on runaways and slave patrols indicate lawmakers faced an ongoing problem in controlling the state's slave population. The fact that enslaved blacks outnumber whites in the 1850s, along with the raging attack on slavery by northern abolitionists, made white Mississippians especially fearful of uprisings. In response to the Virginia-based rebellion led by Nat Turner in 1831, a number of slave importing states, including Mississippi, took measures to put a stop to the slave trade as a means of keeping out undesirable and potentially rebellious slaves. Mississippi temporarily outlawed the slave trade between 1833 and 1847. The prohibition against slave trading did little, however, to stop slave traders from selling their human wares in the state. When the slave trade became legal again in 1847, Mississippi legislators took additional measures to regulate the trade, demanding that slave traders be carefully policed.

Like in other southern states, emancipation became increasingly more difficult over time in Mississippi. Fearing a class of free blacks who might conspire with enslaved blacks, the state barred manumission by will in 1842. Lawmakers also made it clear that free blacks were unwelcome by prohibiting their immigration into the state. Offenders would be sold into slavery. Over time the free black population in Mississippi dwindled. In 1840 there were nearly 1,200 free blacks residing in the state. Twenty years later the number of free blacks had declined to 773. Though not encouraged to make their home in Mississippi some free blacks thrived for a time in the state. William Johnson, a free black barber prospered in Natchez during the 1800s, and at times socialized with whites. Johnson, a slave owner himself, kept a detailed diary of his life in Natchez between 1835 and 1851, providing thereby a fascinating glimpse into the life of this vibrant slave-based community.

Though slavery officially came to an end in Mississippi when the state fell to Union forces during the Civil War, remnants of the system remained in place well into the twentieth century. Following the Reconstruction period when blacks achieved some political and economic power under Federal occupation, Mississippi legislators quickly passed a series of codes that segregated the races and eventually disfranchised black voters--laws that served to maintain the supremacy of the white race while limiting the opportunities available to blacks. This period is commonly known as the Jim Crow era.

Clarence, Edwin Carter, ed. Territorial Papers of the United States, 1809-1817, Volume 1. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1938.

Foner, Philip S. History of Black Americans: From the Emergence of the Cotton Kingdom to the Eve of the Compromise of 1850. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1983.

Historical Statistics of the United States. U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Revised Code of the Statute Laws of the State of Mississippi. Jackson, Mississippi: E. Barksdale, State Printer, 1857.

Rowland, Dunbar. History of Mississippi The Heart of the South. Chicago, Jackson, Mississippi: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1925.

Stampp, Kenneth M. The Peculiar Institution: Slavery in the Ante-Bellum South. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1969.

Sydnor, Charles S. Slavery in Mississippi. New York: American Historical Association, 1933; Reprint: Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1993.

Taylor, Gray. Negro Slavery in Louisiana. Baton Rouge: Louisiana Historical Association, 1963.

Toulmin, Harry. The Statutes of the Mississippi Territory Revised and Digested by the Authority of the General Assembly, Ratified by the Congress of the United States, April 7, 1798. Natchez, Mississippi: Samuel Terrell, Printer for the Mississippi Territory, 1807.

TYPE	YEAR	LAWS/CODES	DESCRIPTION
Code Noir (Black Code)	1724	Code	These laws were passed under French rule.
Religion	1724	Code	Black slaves were to be instructed in the Roman Catholic faith. Sundays and holidays were to be strictly observed. Enslaved black Christians were to be buried in consecrated ground.
Marriage With Whites	1724	Code	The code prohibited the marriage of whites with blacks and forbade miscegenation between whites and slaves. A white man whose female slave bore his child was to lose both the mother and child.
Runaways	1724	Code	Runaways who remained at large a month or more should have their ears cropped and be branded on one shoulder. Hamstringing and branding the other shoulder would punish a second offense. A third offense would result in the death penalty. An appeal to the superior court of the province was permitted before a sentence of hamstringing or death was carried out. Free blacks who harbored runaways were to be fined 30.00 livres for each day a fugitive slave was hidden in their homes.
Care for Enslaved Persons	1724	Code	The code sought to guarantee adequate food and clothing for slaves, and a mistreated black was allowed to appeal to colonial officials. If an elderly, sick black was neglected by his owner, he was to be placed under the care of the colonial hospital; and the hospital was allowed to place a lien on the slave-owner's property until the bill for its service was paid.
Witnesses	1724	Code	Blacks were permitted to testify as witnesses when white witnesses were not available, except that they might not testify against their owners.
Families	1724	Code	Husbands and wives might not be sold separately, nor could children under the age of 14 be sold away from their mothers.
Women	1724	Code	If a slave woman bore a child of her owner, she was to become the property of the colonial hospital so that she might be protected.
Marriage	1724	Code	All the rules of marriage between blacks, except the consent of parents, applied.
Weapons	1724	Code	Blacks were forbidden to carry arms, or even "big sticks," except when sent hunting by their owners. Blacks belonging to different owners were forbidden to gather under any pretext, and the aggravated disregard of this ban was to be punished with branding or death. Slave-owners who permitted such gatherings were to be fined.
Indentured Servants	1724	Code	The Ordinance relating to indentured servants, also known as redemptioners, was reaffirmed. Service fixed at three years, after which they were free and exempt from further control. Another ordinance passed the same year allowing merchants to purchase redemptioners. Persons who did not fill the requirement of being "able bodied, between the ages of 17 and 40 and in size not under four feet," were to be "given around" to the planters.
Importation of Slaves	1798	Statute	Territorial statute passed making it unlawful to import slaves from outside the United States into the Mississippi Territory. The penalty for violating the Act was $30.00 for each slave. Every black imported was to receive his or her freedom.
Witnesses	1798	Statute	Blacks, mulattoes, Indians, and all persons of mixed blood, descended from a black or Indian ancestor to the third generation, inclusive through one ancestor of each generation who may have been a white person, whether bond or free, shall be deemed incapable in law to be witnesses in any case whatsoever, except for and against each other.
Manumission	1798	Statute	It was unlawful for any persons to liberate their slaves unless they first proved to the satisfaction of the General Assembly that such slave or slaves had performed some meritorious act, either for the benefit of the owner, or for the benefit of the territory. Owners were first to give a security bond to the governor to ensure that such slave(s) would not become a financial obligation to the community. Emancipated slaves could be taken to satisfy a slave-owner's debts.
Freedom Suits	1798	Statute	A black claiming his freedom in the Mississippi Territory was to petition the county or circuit court and submit a bond to the Governor, and was to remain in the service of his owner until the determination of the suit.
Public Revenues	1798	Statute	Whenever any collector sold enslaved blacks for non-payment of taxes, he shall not sell them for a longer term than one year. The names of enslaved blacks sold to fulfill a debt were to be recorded and returned to the court where the order was issued. When the goods of a debtor, including enslaved blacks, horses or other stock, were not immediately restored to the debtor, the sheriff or officer was required to provide sufficient sustenance for the support of blacks or livestock until such blacks or stock were sold. Officers were to be reimbursed for their expenses when goods were sold.
Crimes	1798	Statute	Trials of enslaved blacks charged with treason, felony, or other crimes or misdemeanors were presided over by two Justices of the Peace of the county where such offense was committed without juries, upon legal evidence, not being less than five nor more than ten days after the offenders shall have been committed to jail. No enslaved black shall be condemned in any such case unless all of the Justices sitting upon his or her trial shall agree that the prisoner is guilty after allowing him or her counsel in his or her defense, whose fee amounting to $10.00 shall be paid by the slave-owner. When judgment of death shall be passed upon any such offender, there shall be 20 days at least between the time of passing judgment and the day of execution, except in cases of conspiracy, insurrection, or rebellion. No person having interest in an enslaved black shall sit upon the trial.
Crimes	1798	Statute	When an enslaved black or mulatto is convicted of any offense not punishable with death, he or she shall be burned on the hand by the sheriff in open court or suffer such other and corporal punishment that the court shall think fit to inflict. Repeat offenders would be sentenced to the death penalty.
False Testimony	1798	Statute	When an enslaved black or mulatto was found guilty of giving false testimony, every such offender would, without further trial, be ordered by the court to have one ear nailed to the pillory, and stand for the space of one hour; then, the ear would be cut off. Next, the other ear would be nailed in like manner and cut off after one hour. In addition, the offender would receive 39 lashes on his or her bare back, at the public whipping-post or such other punishment the court shall think proper, not extending to life or limb. At all trials of enslaved blacks for capital offenses, the following statement would be read: "You are brought hither as a witness, and by the direction of the law, I am to tell you, before you give your evidence, that you must tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and if it be found hereafter that you give false testimony in this matter, your punishment for so doing is to have both your ears nailed to the pillory, and cut off, and receive 39 lashes on your bare back, well laid on, at the common whipping post."
Freedom of Movement	1798	Statute	Enslaved blacks were prohibited from leaving their owner's property without a pass or letter. Those who violated this law could be apprehended by any person and taken before a Justice of the Peace and punished with up to 20 lashes. Any enslaved black found on a plantation other than where he/she resided and without permission from his/her owner or overseer could receive ten lashes.
Weapons	1798	Statute	Enslaved blacks were forbidden from carrying guns, powder, clubs or other weapons, except the tools given to do their work or to carry by their slave-owner. Any person could seize weapons carried by enslaved blacks, and, after a court hearing, the weapons would be awarded to the apprehender. Offenders were to receive up to 39 lashes. Justices of the Peace could grant permission to enslaved blacks upon application of their owners to carry and use a gun within the limits of their owner's plantation for a term of one year.
Freedom of Assembly	1798	Statute	Slaveholders who allowed any enslaved black not belonging to them to remain in their house or kitchen or upon their plantation more than four hours at one time without permission of the slave-owner would be fined $10.00 for each offense. Enslaved blacks were not restricted from "going to church, and attending divine service on the Lord's day, and between sun-rising and sun-setting." Unlawful assemblies, riots, trespassing, and seditious speeches by blacks were to be punished by up to 39 lashes. Any free white, free black, or mulatto found in company with enslaved blacks at any unlawful meeting were to be fined $20.00. Justices who failed to issue a warrant to offenders of this statute were to pay $10.00 for every such failure. Penalties were to be paid to the informers of such offenses.
Trading of Goods	1798	Statute	The selling or buying of goods from any enslaved black without the consent of the enslaved person's owner was outlawed. Those found guilty were to pay the slave-owner four times the value of the commodity being bought or sold plus court costs. Enslaved blacks who violated the statute were to receive ten lashes. Slaveholders who permitted blacks to go at large and trade as free men were to be fined $50.00.
Runaways	1798	Statute	Enslaved runaways could be lawfully apprehended by any person and taken before a Justice of the Peace. The runaway would either be committed to jail or returned to his or her owner. Owners were to pay $6.00 to the apprehender plus all reasonable costs. A runaway was considered to be any enslaved black absent from his or her plantation without permission for ten days or more. Slaveholders were required to report the names and descriptions of such blacks to the Justice of the Peace. Failure to do so would result in a fine of $1.00 for each day that information had been withheld. Justices of the Peace were authorized and required to send patrols to areas where runaways were believed to "lurk or do mischief." Patrols would be rewarded $30.00 for each runaway they captured. Owners of runaways were required to pay the reward monies.
Animals	1798	Statute	Enslaved blacks were prohibited from keeping dogs "under any pretense or any consideration whatsoever." Offenders brought before a Justice of the Peace would be punished with up to 25 lashes. Slaveholders who allowed blacks to keep dogs would be fined $5.00 and be liable for any damage caused by the dogs. Enslaved blacks were also prohibited from keeping any kind of horse or mule or hogs that ran at large. (Hogs that were kept in a pen were allowed.)
Cruelty	1798	Statute	No cruel or unusual punishment could legally be inflicted on any enslaved person within the territory. Offenders could be fined up to $200.00.
Slave Rebellion	1798	Statute	Enslaved persons convicted of lifting a hand in opposition to any white person would receive up to 20 lashes. Any enslaved person who consulted, advised or participated in an insurrection, or who plotted to murder any person would be judged a felon and suffer death.
Slave Stealing	1798	Statute	A free person who stole any enslaved black was a felon subject to execution.
Importation	1802	Statute	A law to prohibit the importation of enslaved males above the age of 16 into the Territory passed the House of Representatives but was rejected in the Council. Governor Claiborne wrote: "This kind of population is becoming alarming and will, in all probability, sooner or later prove a source of much distress. The culture of cotton is so lucrative and personal labor so valuable that common Negro fellows will generally command $500.00 per head, and if such encouragement should long be afforded to the settlers of Negroes, this Territory must soon be overrun by the most abandoned of that unfortunate race."
Importation	1808	Statute	The importation of enslaved blacks from the United States or its territories was regulated to prevent the introduction of criminals, and a tax of $5.00 was levied on each individual imported.
Slave Patrols	1811	Statute	Militia officers in the Natchez District were ordered to establish patrols on account of an insurrection among slaves in the parish of St. John Baptist at the west end of Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. About 500 blacks organized to march to New Orleans, and some plantations were vandalized.
Smuggling	1815	Statute	A statute designed to prevent the smuggling of enslaved persons from Pensacola was passed. Any confiscated enslaved blacks were to be sold at auction.
Manumission	1817	State Constitution	It provided that the legislature had power to emancipate enslaved persons for "some distinguished service" to the State, in which case the owner would be compensated.
Registration	1819	Statute	Enslaved persons imported for sale were to be registered with proof that they had not been guilty of "murder, burglary, arson, rape, or grand larceny." An import tax of $20.00 was imposed on each enslaved black imported into the State for the benefit of the Natchez hospital.
Punishment	1856	Statute	The Act prohibited slave-owners from inflicting cruel or unusual punishment upon the enslaved blacks they owned. The punishment for such an offense was a fine of up to $500.00 and imprisonment up to 12 months.Slaveholders were obligated to treat blacks with humanity, to provide necessary clothing and provisions, and to abstain from endangering their lives. Failing to meet these obligations would result in a fine of up to $500.00, or imprisonment up to three months. In cases where a slaveholder was accused of inflicting cruel or unusual punishment of a black, it was the duty of a Justice to issue a warrant commanding a constable or other officer to bring the blacks to court for examination. The Justice was to appoint three or more respectable slaveholders to examine the victim to ascertain his or her injuries.In cases where it was established that punishment had been inflicted, it was the duty of the Justice to require the accused to post a security bond for his appearance at the succeeding term of the county circuit court.In all trials for offenses under this Act, it was lawful for either party to prove the general character of the accused for cruelty or for humanity to the blacks under his or her control.
Removal of Slaves from State or County	1856	Statute	If any person possessed of a life estate in any enslaved person or persons shall remove or voluntarily permit to be removed out of state such enslaved persons, or any of their increase, without the consent of his or her heirs, such person or persons shall forfeit the enslaved person or persons as well as the full value of the enslaved. But, if the person who holds the life estate is a married woman, and the enslaved is removed by her husband without the consent of his heirs, the enslaved person so removed shall only be forfeited to the claiming heirs during the life of the husband.Persons who remove a slave out of the State or out of any county without the consent of the owner would be guilty of a misdemeanor. The punishment for such a crime was a fine between $200.00 and $600.00, and a prison term up to two years.
Runaways	1856	Statute	Runaways could be apprehended by any person, and were to be returned to their owner, or taken before a Justice of the Peace, who would commit the enslaved black to jail. The slave-owner was to pay $6.00 to the person who apprehended the runaway, plus all costs and charges. Enslaved blacks who absented themselves from their owners' residence without permission were considered runaways. If a free person was arrested as a runaway, they were not to be deprived of the right of a court hearing (habeas corpus).Persons who apprehended a runaway were to take the enslaved black to his or her owner or overseer. If the owner or overseer refused to pay $6.00 to the apprehender, then that person was to take the runaway black to the county jail.Sheriffs were to interrogate runaway slaves in their custody as to the name and place of residence of their owner, and to take an accurate description of the black. This information would then be transmitted by mail to the person named by the runaway black as his or her owner. At the same time, an advertisement was to be sent to the publisher of a local newspaper containing an accurate description of the runaway black and the date of his or her capture.No runaway was to be delivered by a jailor to an owner unless the owner or another credible person gave proof that the detained black rightfully belonged to the person claiming him or her. The owner was to pay all expenses incurred in the apprehension and securing of the runaway. If a runaway was confined in jail for six months from the time of the published advertisement, and was not claimed, the sheriff was to sell the black at public auction, giving 30 days notice of the sale. If an owner proved that a runaway sold at public auction belonged to him within six years after such sale, the county would refund the money to the owner.If any sheriff or jailor gave a false description or misleading information about any runaway in his custody in the advertisement or in any verbal or written communication with the owner, the sheriff would be liable to the owner for all damages.Justices of the Peace were to issue warrants for runaways who banded together to resist apprehension. For every such runaway captured, the constable was entitled to receive a reward of $20.00. Any white person could use the same type of force in arresting runaways as the sheriff was allowed to use in arresting any fugitive from justice accused of a felony. Boards of police had the authority to allow town officials the use of all jailed runaways to work on the streets, highways, and bridges adjacent to the town. Authorities were to post a bond payable to the Board of Police to cover the full value of runaway blacks taken out, and such authorities were responsible for the safe keeping of such enslaved runaways.
Runaways	1856	Statute	Persons who advised or persuaded an enslaved black to run away from his or her owner were guilty of a felony, could be fined up to $30.00 for each black involved, and were to be imprisoned in the penitentiary between 3-20 years.Persons who advised or aided any black to escape with the intent to emancipate such person were guilty of stealing slaves and would be punished accordingly.Any white person who secretly concealed a runaway was guilty of a misdemeanor, could be imprisoned up to six months, and was liable to the owner for damages. Any Indian, free black, or mulatto found guilty of harboring a runaway was to be fined $50.00 for each black so harbored and imprisoned in the penitentiary for up to one year. Enslaved blacks found guilty of a similar offense were to be punished up to 50 lashes, with their master liable for costs.
Selling and Trading	1856	Statute	Any person who bought or sold from an enslaved black any article or any liquor without the written consent of the black's owner was guilty of a high misdemeanor and was to be fined between $50.00 and $500.00.The burden of proof concerning the above article was with the accused. If no proof could be established to prove a person's innocence, prima facie evidence was sufficient, meaning that, if a person was seen to receive from or to deliver to any enslaved black any article or commodity or liquor, he would be considered guilty.In indictments for the offense of buying from or selling to enslaved blacks, it was not necessary to show the kind or quantity of articles traded, or the name of the enslaved black. Instead, it was sufficient to charge and prove that such buying and selling or receiving was with an enslaved black or mulatto. Proof that the person alleged to be the owner of such enslaved black was sufficient evidence to show ownership under the provisions of this Act.
Manumission	1805	Statute	It was unlawful to liberate enslaved blacks except by permission of the General Assembly for meritorious service.
Witnesses	1805	Statute	Other than evidence for or against each other, evidence given by enslaved persons was not allowed in court.
Movement	1805	Statute	Enslaved persons were forbidden to go from their residences without a pass or letter. If found without a pass, any person could arrest the enslaved black and take him or her before a Justice for a whipping; the owner or overseer of a plantation entered by a slave without authority could inflict similar punishment without going before a magistrate.
Firearms	1805	Statute	Enslaved persons were forbidden to keep or carry firearms.
Absent Without Leave	1805	Statute	Masters were not to allow their slaves to be more than four hours absent without leave, on penalty of a heavy fine.
Riots, Unlawful Assembly, Trespassing	1805	Statute	Riots, unlawful assemblies, trespassing, and seditious speeches were punishable by 39 stripes or less. Any white, free black, or mulatto meeting with black slaves at an unlawful meeting was to be fined $20.00.
Trading With Enslaved Persons	1805	Statute	Trading with enslaved persons without the slave-owner's permission was punishable by heavy fine; letting a slave go at large, and trade or hire himself out resulted in a fine of $50.00 on the slave-owner.
Keeping Dogs, Horses, Etc.	1805	Statute	Slaves were forbidden from keeping dogs, horses, or mules.
Rebellion	1805	Statute	Conspiring to rebel was punishable by death.
Punishment	1805	Statute	No cruel or unusual punishment of enslaved persons was permissible, and offenders would be fined up to $200.00.
Selling of Liquor	1809	Statute	Selling of liquor to enslaved persons was prohibited.
Dogs and Livestock	1809	Statute	Patrols were authorized to kill all dogs owned by enslaved blacks. Slave-owners who allowed enslaved blacks to keep any livestock were to be fined $50.00.
Runaways	1809	Statute	Enslaved persons found eight miles from home without a pass, or who were gone two days without leave, were to be considered runaways.
Selling Goods	1809	Statute	It was lawful for any citizen observing an enslaved person selling goods without a written permit to arrest that person.
Definition	1822	Statute	All persons lawfully held to service for life, and the descendants of enslaved female may be brought into the State and were considered slaves. No other persons to be deemed as slaves.
Importing Enslaved Persons	1822	Statute	It prohibited importing enslaved persons who had been convicted of any offense or any enslaved persons born outside the United States. Penalty: Fine of $1,000.00 for each slave brought in illegally to be paid to the State literary fund. Slaveholders were allowed to transport their slaves through the State as long as they did not stay for more than one year.
What Slaves Shall Not Be Imported	1822	Statute	It was unlawful to bring into Mississippi or hold any enslaved persons born outside the United States or any slaves that had been convicted of any offense. Penalty for violating the statute was a fine of $1,000.00 to be paid to the State literary fund.
Certificates Respecting Slaves, Brought Into The S	1822	Statute	Slave importers mandated to have a certificate for each black brought into the State signed by two freeholders from the State or county from which the enslaved black came. Certificate to contain a physical description of the enslaved person, along with name, age and sex, a declaration that such enslaved person was not guilty or had not been convicted of murder, burglary, arson, or other felonies.
Registering Enslaved Persons	1822	Statute	Any person selling an enslaved black brought into Mississippi must register the enslaved black with the Register of the Orphan's Court of the county.Penalty for not complying with the certification and registration process was $100.00 for every enslaved black sold or purchased. The penalty for creating a fraudulent certificate was a fine of $50.00 for the use and benefit of the literary fund.
Off the Plantation Without a Pass	1822	Statute	Penalty for an enslaved black leaving his or her master's home without a pass was 20 lashes. Free blacks who furnished a fraudulent pass to an enslaved person would receive 39 lashes.
Buying and Selling Goods	1822	Statute	It prohibited enslaved blacks from buying or selling any articles unless they had written permission from a slaveholder or overseer. Penalty: Whipping up to 39 lashes.
Weapons	1822	Statute	Enslaved blacks could only carry the tools they were given to work with. Guns, powder, clubs, or other weapons found in the possession of any enslaved black could be seized and would be forfeited to the seizer after a review by the Justice of the Peace. Offenders would receive up to 39 lashes. Justices of the Peace could grant permission to any enslaved black, on the application of his owner or overseer, to carry and use a gun, within the limits of the slave-owner's land and for a term up to one year. License could be revoked at any time.
Free Blacks: Weapons	1822	Statute	Free blacks were prohibited from keeping weapons or ammunition without a license. Offenders convicted before a Justice of the Peace must surrender all arms to the informant. Constables were required to give information and prosecute every free black who kept arms or ammunition, contrary to this Act. Free blacks who committed a second offense of possessing arms would be punished with a whipping up to 39 stripes as well as surrendering the weapons to the informer.
Mulattoes	1822	Statute	Any person with at least one-fourth part black blood was considered a mulatto.
Riots, Unlawful Assemblies, Trespasses, Seditious	1822	Statute	Enslaved offenders were to be punished by a whipping (does not say how many lashes). Free blacks involved in any kind of quarrel or fight with a slave and judged to be the aggressor were to receive up to 39 stripes.
Punishment of White Persons	1822	Statute	Whites who assembled unlawfully with enslaved blacks would be fined $20.00. The fine went to the informer; and offender would receive up to 20 lashes on his bare back, at the discretion of the court. This article marked the only place in the code where the penalty for an offense committed by a white person was a whipping. Justices of the Peace and sheriffs were required to apprehend persons who met unlawfully and bring them before the court. Failure to do so would result in a $10.00 fine, which would be paid to the informer.
Witnesses	1822	Statute	It allowed blacks to serve as witnesses for or against defendants in trials involving enslaved or free blacks or mulattoes, but not for white persons.
Trading on Sunday or With Free Blacks	1822	Statute	Penalty for trading any kind of article on Sundays with an enslaved black was $20.00. Persons guilty of trading with an enslaved person without the consent of his or her master, or with a free black, required to give the court a security bond for his good behavior for one year or longer. Owners who permitted blacks to trade were fined $50.00, payable to the State literary fund.
Hiring Out Enslaved Persons	1822	Statute	Slaveholders who allowed enslaved blacks to hire themselves out were to be fined $20.00 to $50.00. Enslaved blacks could be jailed. At the court's discretion, the county sheriff could be ordered to sell the enslaved person, unless the fine was paid within ten days. Fines were to be split between the informer and literary fund. The fine for allowing a slave to hire himself out was set at $50.00 per offense.
Selling Articles	1822	Statute	Sheriff for his own use can take articles being offered for sale by an enslaved black. Enslaved blacks who violated the law were to receive ten lashes. Goods being sold by enslaved blacks would be forfeited to the apprehender of offending blacks.
Liquor	1822	Statute	Punishment: up to 39 lashes for consuming liquor.
Abusive Language or Assaulting Whites	1822	Statute	An enslaved black or free black who assaulted a white or used abusive language, except in cases of self-defense, was to receive up to 39 lashes.
Runaways	1822	Statute	Apprehender was to be paid $6.00 for each slave caught. Advertisement for runaways was to be placed in a local public newspaper for six months. If runaway not claimed in six months, it was lawful for sheriff to sell such runaway at a public auction. Owner is required to show proof that the runaway advertised is his property. Owner to pay the expenses incurred in the apprehension and securing of the runaway.
Runaways	1822	Statute	In cases of two or more slaves hiding out as noted, any Justice of the Peace was empowered and required to direct the leader of any patrol within his jurisdiction to apprehend such slave or slaves and, upon being caught, commit them to jail for further trial. Reward: $30.00 for each slave, cost of which would be added to the owner's yearly taxes.
Use of Ferries or Bridges	1822	Statute	Ferry owners who allowed any black to cross a ferry or bridge without a written pass from the owner were fined $25.00, payable to the aggrieved party.
Keeping Livestock	1822	Statute	It was unlawful for any enslaved black to own horses, cattle, hogs, mules or sheep. If blacks were found holding such property, animals were to be sold with money going to the county.
Growing Cotton	1822	Statute	Masters or overseers who authorized blacks to cultivate cotton for private use were to pay $50.00 for the use of the county where offense committed.
Punishment	1822	Statute	Cruel or unusual punishment of enslaved blacks was prohibited. Persons convicted of such a crime were to be fined up to $500.00, payable to the literary fund.
Personal Property	1822	Statute	All enslaved blacks in all courts of law within the State to be deemed as the personal estate of slaveholders.
Removing Enslaved Persons from Mississippi	1822	Statute	If any person or persons, possessed of a life estate in any enslaved person or persons, shall remove out of this State, such enslaved person or persons, or any of their increase, without the consent of other claimants to the estate as heirs, such person or persons shall forfeit all enslaved persons so removed, and the full value thereof, to those claiming title to the enslaved person or persons.
Married Women as Slave-owners	1822	Statute	A woman who possessed slave property at the time of her marriage would continue to have ownership, exempt from any liability of her husband. If she should inherit enslaved persons after her marriage, they would also remain her property. Her husband would control the supervision of these enslaved workers' labor production. Legal suits involving such enslaved people would be in the name of both husband and wife. It was unlawful for a husband to remove enslaved blacks owned by his wife out of state; it was lawful for wife to sue for, recover, and possess such enslaved persons so removed.
Harboring Slaves	1822	Statute	Any free white or black person found guilty of harboring a black without the consent of his master was to be fined up to $20.00 and would be liable for damages. An enslaved black convicted of the same offense to be whipped up to 39 lashes.
Transporting Enslaved Persons Out of State	1822	Statute	Transporting an enslaved black out of state without permission from his or her owner was considered a felony punishable by a fine of between $200.00 and $600.00, and a prison sentence up to one year. The offender also was required to pay the slaveholder double the value of the enslaved person, together with double the amount of all expenses incurred in reclaiming the enslaved black.
Conspiracy to Rebel	1822	Statute	If any black or other enslaved person advised or conspired to rebel, or plotted to conspire the murder of any free white person, those actions were to be judged as a felony. Enslaved blacks convicted of such a crime were to be sentenced to death. Free persons found guilty of conspiring with an enslaved black to rebel or murder were judged felons and would be sentenced to death.
Attacking Whites	1822	Statute	If convicted of assault and battery on a white person, enslaved blacks would be sentenced to death.
Poison	1822	Statute	It was a felony for any enslaved or free black to prepare or administer to any person any medicine with the intent to kill. Those found guilty would be sentenced to die.
Crimes Not Punishable By Death	1822	Statute	Enslaved blacks found guilty of felonies not punishable by death were to be burnt on the hand by the sheriff in open court and suffer such other corporal punishment as the court ordered. If convicted of a second offense of a similar nature, a black offender would be sentenced to death.
Capital Offenses	1822	Statute	The following capital offenses committed by enslaved blacks were punishable by death: maiming a free white person, attempting to rape a white woman or female child under age 12, attempting to commit any capital crime, serving as a voluntary accessory before or after any capital offense, being found guilty of manslaughter of any free person, or burning any house, barn or stable.
Petit Larceny	1822	Statute	Any enslaved black who stole any goods under the value of $20.00 was to be found guilty of petit larceny, and the master or overseer of such slave was to restore the stolen goods or pay their value to the owner. Blacks convicted of such a crime were to receive up to 39 lashes. A slaveholder or overseer was charged with the costs of prosecution.
Grand Larceny	1822	Statute	Enslaved blacks who stole any goods worth more than $20.00 were guilty of grand larceny. Stolen goods were to be restored, and the same punishment was to be inflicted on both enslaved person and a slave-owner as called for in cases of petit larceny. Confessions of offenders, the oaths of credible witnesses, as well as the testimony of blacks, bonded or free, were admissible as evidence in court for cases of petit or grand larceny.
Perjury	1822	Statute	Enslaved blacks found guilty of giving false testimony suffered horrific consequences: the offenders' ears were to be nailed one at a time to the pillory for one hour and then cut off. This punishment was to be followed by 39 lashes. It was the duty of the court to inform black witnesses of the punishment for perjury before they took the stand.
Capital Crimes	1822	Statute	It was lawful for a jury to convict a black of inferior capital crimes. Court was to punish such slaves by burning them on the hand or whipping them according to the nature and magnitude of the crime.
Trials	1822	Statute	Persons with an interest in an enslaved black charged with a crime were barred from serving on the jury for the trial.
Counsel for Slaves	1822	Statute	The Court had the power to appoint a prosecuting attorney in case the attorney general or district attorney was not present. Prosecutor was to be paid up to $20.00 for his services. Court also had the right to assign legal counsel to defend enslaved blacks on trial.
Execution	1822	Statute	When an enslaved black was sentenced to die, there was to be a period of at least 20 days between the time of passing judgment and the day of execution, except in cases of conspiracy, insurrection, or rebellion.
Emancipation	1822	Statute	It was unlawful for slave-owners to emancipate their slaves except by their last will and testament. In addition, the general assembly required that enslaved blacks prove they had performed some meritorious service for their owner, or the State before the legislative body would sanction such an act. Enslaved blacks who had been promised emancipation faced other hurdles as well. Emancipated blacks could be used to settle the debts of the deceased owner before their freedom would be granted. At the same time, widows were entitled to their share of their husbands' estates, including blacks who had been emancipated.
Illegally Enslaved	1822	Statute	Persons who believed they were illegally enslaved could petition the circuit court of the county in which they resided. If a black was not living with his master at the time of court hearing, he was to post a sufficient security bond to cover the costs and damages incurred by his master in case he failed to prove his claim. The court could order that, when the owner of a black petitioning for his freedom failed to post a security bond, the black could be taken into custody by the sheriff. In cases where an enslaved black failed to establish his claim for freedom, persons who had assisted him or her in his or her petition were to pay the owner of such an enslaved person the sum of $100.00 and were liable for additional damages.
Jury Service by Whites Associated with Emancipatio	1822	Statute	In cases where a black was petitioning for his freedom, persons associated with an emancipation society were forbidden from serving on the jury for the case.
Free Blacks Immigrating into the State	1822	Statute	It was unlawful for any free black to immigrate to Mississippi. Those free blacks who came to the State contrary to State laws and remained 30 days after being given notice to depart were required to post a bond of $500.00 guaranteeing their good behavior while in the State. Those blacks who remained in default were to be jailed and could be sold for a term of 12 months.
Free Blacks: Registration of	1822	Statute	Free blacks who lawfully resided in the State were to be registered and numbered in a book kept by the register of the Orphans' Court, noting their age, name, sex, color and stature, along with any visible scars on their face, head or hands, and by what last will and testament, or instrument in writing, he or she was emancipated, or that they had been born free. Free blacks would receive a copy of their registration for the cost of $1.00. Any free black who gave an enslaved black a copy of a freedom registration with the intent of enabling an enslaved black to escape, was guilty of a felony, and would suffer the punishment for stealing a slave.
Free Blacks: Employment of	1822	Statute	Free blacks seeking to hire themselves out were required to have their certificate of freedom registered in the office of the Orphans' Court in the county where they resided. Those who employed a free black without such certification were to be fined $10.00.
Free Blacks: Freedom Certificates	1822	Statute	Free blacks were required to renew their freedom certificates every three years. New certificate was not to be issued by the clerk until the former certificate was presented and destroyed, or until Orphans' Court gave permission to renew. Free blacks who failed to procure a freedom certificate were to be jailed until such certificate was produced and the jailor's fees paid, or until the Orphans' Court was satisfied that such certificate had been accidentally lost or destroyed. Court could order a free black to be sold if he failed to produce a certificate. Revenue from such a sale would be used for the poor of the county.
Free Blacks: Vagrants	1822	Statute	Free blacks would be considered a vagrant if he or she moved to another county without having employment.
Patrols: Membership	1822	Statute	Slave-owners and all other persons below the rank of captain and liable to perform militia duty were declared able and directed to perform patrol duty. Individuals were at liberty to send a substitute to perform their duty.
Patrols: Duties	1822	Statute	It was the duty of every militia captain or commanding officer of a company to regulate patrols, maintain a list of patrol detachments, and appoint detachment leaders. Detachments were to consist of three men besides their leader and to perform the duties of patrols once every three weeks. No one was compelled to serve out of his regular routine of duty.
Patrols: Compensation for Runaways	1822	Statute	Patrols were responsible for visiting black quarters or places suspected of containing unlawful assemblies of blacks or other disorderly persons unlawfully assembled. Free persons were to be taken before a Justice of the Peace. Enslaved blacks found to be assembled or traveling without a pass were to receive up to 15 lashes. If a black was thought to be a runaway, he or she was to be taken to the nearest Justice of the Peace. Owners were to pay $6.00 for each apprehended runaway.
Patrols: Liability of Members	1822	Statute	Patrol captains or commanding officers were indemnified for carrying out their patrol duties. If sued or arrested for any thing they did in connection with their patrol duties, they could collect double the costs in all legal suits or actions.
Patrols: Killing of Dogs Owned by Enslaved Persons	1822	Statute	Patrols and other persons were authorized to kill all dogs owned or kept by blacks. Masters who allowed blacks to keep dogs were to be fined up to $50.00, with one half going to the informer.
Patrols: Definition of a Runaway	1822	Statute	Slaves who were found eight miles away from their home without a pass, or who had been gone for more than two days from the service of their master or overseer without leave were considered runaways.
Patrols: Membership	1822	Statute	It was the duty of every militia captain or commanding officer of a patrol to make a list of all males within his district who were available for patrol duty. The names of male residents who moved to the community were to be added within ten days of their arrival.
Patrols: Penalties	1822	Statute	Persons who failed to attend patrol meetings or send a substitute or who neglected to perform their duty were fined $5.00. One half of the fine was to go to the patrol leader and the other half to members of the patrol who had performed their duty. Justices of the Peace were responsible for prosecuting persons who defaulted on their patrol duty. If the accused provided an acceptable excuse to the Justice, he would not have to pay fine but would be responsible for court costs. Leaders of patrol detachments who neglected to prosecute members who defaulted on their patrol duty were to be fined $10.00, with half of the fine going to the commanding officer and the other half to patrol members. Likewise, commanders of patrol detachments would be penalized if they failed in their duty to prosecute leaders who were under their command and who had failed in their duties.
Patrols: Number on Duty	1822	Statute	Patrol detachments were to consist of between four-seven members, including the leader. Commanding officers were not to put more than half of their company on patrol duty without order from the commanding officer of his regiment.
Patrols: Disobeying Leaders	1822	Statute	Commanding officers were responsible for appointing leaders of patrols who were the most discreet persons available. Leaders were accountable for the orderly conduct of their detachments. Leaders not responsible for poor conduct when incidents were reported to the nearest Justice of the Peace. Patrol members who disobeyed the orders of their leaders when on duty would be fined up to $10.00.
Off Without Leave	1823	Statute	Plantation owners who allowed enslaved blacks not belonging to them to gather at their plantation for more than four hours were fined $10.00 for each offense. Slave-owners who allowed more than five blacks to gather at their plantation were fined $10.00 for every black involved. The Act provided that blacks could gather at any plantation belonging to their owner if they had permission.
Unlawful Assembly	1823	Statute	It was considered unlawful assembly for free blacks to gather with enslaved blacks at any place to teach them how to read or write. Justices of the Peace were to order offenders to be whipped up to 39 lashes.
Religion	1823	Statute	Masters were allowed to permit their slaves to attend religious worship services provided that the service was conducted by a licensed white minister, or attended by at least two "discreet and reputable white persons, appointed by some regular church or religious society."
Trading With Enslaved Persons	1823	Statute	Persons who traded with an enslaved black without the consent of the black's master were to pay the master four times the value of the articles purchased and pay an additional $20.00 to the person suing for damages.
Whippings	1823	Statute	In cases where free or enslaved blacks were accused of any offense that carried a punishment of stripes, it was the duty of the Justice to call two respectable slaveholders to present evidence for or against the accused. If a free black was accused of using abusive language, the slaveholders and Justice of the Peace were to determine if the offense was aggravated or not. If not aggravated, the free black would be ordered to pay $20.00. If unwilling or unable to pay the fine, the accused free black would be whipped at the discretion of the slaveholders and the Justice of the Peace.
Counsel	1823	Statute	In cases where a slaveholder did not hire legal counsel for a black accused of an offense that could result in a death sentence, the court would appoint such counsel. Owners would be ordered to pay for such counsel up to $25.00. Court would provide counsel to blacks whose owners refused to pay for such counsel.
Runaways	1824	Statute	Jailors were responsible for interrogating runaways to determine their owners' name and place of residence. A runaway's statement and a physical description of the individual would be sent by mail to the owner named. If a statement made by a black runaway was false, he or she would receive 25 lashes. The black runaway would be interrogated and whipped again if the account given was false. This process would be continued for a period of six months.
Runaways	1824	Statute	Owners who could not recognize their slave property based on a false description given by a jailor would recover against the jailor a fine of between $20.00 and $100.00. If a jailor had sold a black runaway, an owner would recover against the jailor the full value of his property.
Runaways: Public Works	1824	Statute	Runaways confined in prison could be employed by a town to perform public work. The town would become liable for the maintenance and safe keeping of blacks they employed.
Runaways: Reclaiming of	1824	Statute	Owners whose runaways were sold while in jail had the right to reclaim their property within six months after the sale. Owners were responsible for paying all costs and charges associated with the apprehension, confinement and sale of a runaway.
Livestock	1825	Statute	Slave-owners who allowed an enslaved person to keep stock of any kind were to pay a penalty up to $50.00. One half of the fine would go to the informer, and the other half to the county treasury.
Patrols: Fines	1825	Statute	Fines collected from the leader or any member of a patrol were to be paid into the county treasury.
Runaways: Rewards	1825	Statute	The reward for the apprehension of a runaway was to be paid by the owner of such black on delivery from the jail, along with all expenses incurred.
Runaways: Labor on Public Works	1829	Statute	Probate courts to offer incorporated towns within their jurisdiction the use of imprisoned runaways to labor on streets, highways and bridges. Towns would be responsible for giving bond to the court for the safekeeping of the runaways during the time they were employed and in going to and from jail.
Runaways: Supervision of	1829	Statute	Incorporated towns were to appoint a superintendent whose responsibility would be to manage runaways while at work and to keep them from escaping by a ball or chain, "or in such other manner as will best unite security with humanity." When incorporated towns refused to accept the provisions of this Act, or whenever the seat of justice for the county was not incorporated, the court could appoint one or more superintendents to oversee the public labor of runaways. Court would designate the streets, roads, or bridges on which runaways would labor.
Murder of Whites: Attempted	1829	Statute	When an enslaved black failed in his or her attempt to kill his or her owner, he or she would still be sentenced to capital punishment. No proof of malice was required when an enslaved black committed assault and battery on his or her master, employer, or overseer "in resistance to legal chastisement."
Assault and Battery Against Whites	1829	Statute	Enslaved blacks, who committed an assault and battery, where only implied malice was shown, on any white person with the intent to kill, would receive up to 100 lashes a day for three successive days.
Patrols: When Appointed	1830	Statute	Once every three months, militia officers were required to appoint patrol detachments in their respective beats.
Free Blacks: Required to Leave the State	1831	Statute	All free blacks between the ages of 16 and 50 were required to leave the State within 90 days after passage of this Act, and were not to return under any circumstances. Free blacks who did not leave the State were to be jailed and sold for a term of five years. The Act did not apply to free blacks having a license from a county court to remain in the State. License could be revoked at any time if court felt it necessary, and the free black would be required to leave the State within 20 days or would face the same penalty as noted above. The cost of a license was $3.00.
Free Blacks: Not Allowed to Work on Boats	1831	Statute	Captains or owners of a boat were prohibited from employing blacks purporting to be free unless such person showed his or her freedom papers bearing an official county seal. Violators of the Act were to pay $1,000.00 for each offense, and would be imprisoned for a term of 6-12 months.
Travel on Boats	1831	Statute	Boat owners who allowed enslaved persons to board without permission from their owners would be subject to penalties and fines.
Religion: Service as Ministers of the Gospel	1831	Statute	Enslaved blacks who served as ministers were to be punished with 39 lashes. The Act provided that a slave-owner was allowed to permit enslaved blacks to preach on his or her own premises but only to those blacks personally owned.
Selling Goods in Town	1831	Statute	It was unlawful to hire any free or enslaved black to sell goods or merchandise. The penalty for those hiring a black was a fine of $50.00 to $500.00 and imprisonment for a term of one to three months. Free blacks convicted for such an offense would have their wares seized and confiscated, with one half going to the informer and the other half to the constable who inflicted 39 lashes on the offender.Judges, Justices, sheriffs, and constables, the Attorney General, and all district attorneys, and other civil officers of the State were required to "rigidly enforce the provisions of this Act."
Expenses for Prosecuting Enslaved Persons	1831	Statute	Those charges not chargeable to slave-owners and incurred for prosecuting and caring for jailed blacks were to be paid by county treasury where the black was prosecuted and tried.
Patrols: Subject to Town Authority	1831	Statute	Officials of incorporated towns had full power and authority to appoint and regulate patrols within their town limits. The Act provided that no citizen eligible for patrol duty would be required to serve more than one night every week.
Patrols: Obligation of All Citizens	1831	Statute	Every citizen of any city or incorporated town was required by law to perform patrol duty. A town did not have the power to impose a fine of more than $5.00 on any citizen for failing to perform the patrol duties required of him.
Emancipation	1832	Constitution	It withheld from the legislature the power to "pass laws for the emancipation of slaves without the consent of their owners, unless where the slave shall have rendered to the State some distinguished service, in which case the owner shall be paid a full equivalent for the emancipated slave." The legislature was given the power to pass laws to permit slave-owners to emancipate the persons whom they owned as slaves.
Importation of Enslaved Persons as Merchandise	1832	Constitution	The Constitution allowed immigrants or settlers to bring their slaves into the State provided they were "bona fide property," but it prohibited the introduction of enslaved persons as merchandise or for sale after May 1, 1833. Settlers could not import enslaved persons from other states for individual use after 1845.
Treatment of Enslaved Persons	1832	Constitution	Legislature had full power to oblige slaveholders to treat enslaved property with humanity, to provide necessary clothing and provisions, to abstain from all injuries to them extending to life or limb. Refusal to comply with such laws could result in the sale of a slaveholder's enslaved property.
Patrol Leaders	1833	Statute	The appointment of patrol leaders by captains or commanding officers of a company was repealed. Members of the Board of County Police were given full power and authority to appoint leaders of patrols in each police district. Leaders were required to summon patrol detachments of five or more persons to perform patrol duty as noted in the Act. The amendment did not affect the powers vested in incorporated towns concerning the appointment and regulation of patrols as noted in the Act approved December 19, 1831.
Slave Trade Prohibited	1837	Statute	The introduction of enslaved persons to be sold as merchandise was prohibited. Persons who imported enslaved blacks into Mississippi with the intent of selling them were guilty of a misdemeanor. Penalty: $500.00 fine and imprisonment for one to six months for each slave brought into the State as merchandise. Promissory notes and written agreements concerning the sale or purchase of an imported black were void and worthless. The Act provided that provisions of the statute only applied to blacks imported into the State for trade. In other words, slaves already in Mississippi could be bought and sold as usual. (This Act was repealed in 1846.)
Importation of Enslaved Persons	1837	Statute	Persons bringing blacks into the State were required to take an oath before a circuit court clerk that they did not intend to sell the blacks or hire them out. Failure to gain such a certificate would result in a fine of $100.00 for each black. The Act allowed for persons visiting the State to bring their personal black attendants with them. All fines collected were to be placed in the county treasuries where collected for county purposes. In Adams County, the fines would go to the Natchez hospital.
Harboring Enslaved Persons	1839	Statute	White persons found guilty of harboring another person's enslaved black without their consent would be fined between $200.00-$500.00 and imprisoned between one and six months. An Indian or free black found guilty of harboring any enslaved black would pay the owner of the enslaved person $50.00 and all court costs, and be imprisoned between three and six months. An enslaved black found guilty of the same offense would receive up to 39 lashes.
Runaways	1839	Statute	In the case of apprehended runaways, it was the duty of the county sheriff to forward an advertisement to the public printer of the State giving a description of the runaway. The printer was to insert the advertisement in a newspaper. When blacks were claimed by their owner or sold, the sheriff was to retain the printer's fees from the sale.
Free Blacks	1842	Statute	Justices of the Peace were responsible for bringing to court any free black who was unlawfully residing in the State. Free blacks were required to post a $100.00 bond guaranteeing their good behavior while in the State. If a free black refused to give such a security, it was the duty of the Justice to commit the person to jail. The county sheriff would then be required to advertise and sell the black as provided by law.
Emancipation	1842	Statute	In cases where a slaveholder had removed a black from the State and emancipated him or her, and the black was found to have returned to Mississippi, such person would be treated as a free black residing unlawfully within the State.
Free Blacks: Not Allowed to Enter State	1842	Statute	It was unlawful for any free black to immigrate to Mississippi. If apprehended, a free black would receive 39 lashes and be ordered to leave the State within 20 days. If the offender did not leave the State, he or she would be imprisoned and sold as provided in the law.
Free Blacks: Not Allowed into State on Boats	1842	Statute	It was unlawful for boat captains to bring into Mississippi any free black as a passenger, or as a cook, mariner or steward, or in any other capacity. Offenders would be fined up to $500.00. A second offense carried a fine of $1,000.00 and imprisonment up to six months.
Free Blacks: Seizure of Those Unlawful in State	1842	Statute	Sheriffs were required to seize free blacks residing unlawfully within the State and bring them before a Justice of the Peace. If a white person declared that he was the owner of such a black, and was found to have taken a false oath, he would be judged guilty of perjury. The penalty for such an offense was imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of five-ten years. Sheriffs, jailors, and constables were to be paid for their services as required by this Act from the county treasury, with fees established by the county Board of Police. Failure to perform their duties would result in a fine of $100.00.
Housing of Enslaved Persons	1842	Statute	It was unlawful to house more than six blacks within more than one mile from the owner's residence unless a white male overseer was hired to perform patrol duty. Enslaved blacks living in a town were required to live in a dwelling that was connected to or on the same lot as their master. Persons who violated these provisions were guilty of a misdemeanor, and would be fined between $500.00 and $1,000.00. Grand juries of circuit courts given jurisdiction over these cases.
Emancipation	1842	Statute	Enslaved persons could no longer be emancipated by a last will or testament. Slaves were to be distributed among the heirs of a testator. Wills written before passage of the Act and declaring the emancipation of owner's slaves would be honored if enslaved blacks were removed from the State within one year after passage of the Act. In addition, a slaveholder could direct his or her executor to emancipate any enslaved black for meritorious services upon conditions set by the State legislature. In such a case, the will was to be reviewed by the legislature before approval was granted.
Free Blacks: License to Remain in Town	1843	Statute	The Board of Police of Warren and Adams counties were empowered to license certain free persons of color to reside in Vicksburg and Natchez on proof of good character, and noted that a majority of the citizens desired it—reserving to the Board the power of expulsion.The Board of Police of any county in the State was given the same powers and privileges in relation to free blacks residing in their counties as conferred to Warren and Adams counties. Boards of Police were not given the power to grant licenses to any free blacks who were not residents of the State at this time.
Value of Enslaved Blacks Condemned to Death for Cr	1846	Statute	Slaveholders of enslaved blacks condemned to die were to receive half of their value, paid by the State Treasury. Five slaveholders summoned by the county sheriff would determine the value of slaves condemned to die.After a convicted enslaved black was executed, his monetary value, along with a certificate noting the black had been executed according to the judgment, would be submitted to the Auditor of Public Accounts for payment. One half the value of the black was to be paid out of the Treasury.
Slave Trade	1846	Statute	It repealed a May 1837 Act prohibiting the importation of slaves for sale in Mississippi, making the slave trade legal again in Mississippi.District attorneys were authorized to dismiss suits associated with the earlier Act that prohibited the importation of enslaved blacks to sell as merchandise. Defendants were required to pay court costs.
Runaways	1846	Statute	Jailors were responsible for closely guarding runaway slaves until claimed by their owner, or dealt with according to the law. Jailors who used runaways to do personal labor for them were to be fined between $75.00 and $150.00. Runaways could be used to repair town streets as long as they were well guarded while working, and jailed every night.
Grand Larceny	1846	Statute	When an enslaved black was accused of stealing articles worth more than $50.00, the Justice of the Peace was required to present the case to the grand jury for their action as in other cases of grand larceny. Justices of the Peace were required to commit enslaved blacks accused of grand larceny to the county to await trial.Juries were responsible for assessing the value of goods stolen by an enslaved black accused of grand larceny. It was the responsibility of the court clerk to issue a statement of the value and description of stolen goods, and a brief description of the nature of the suit on which the judgment was made.By law, a sheriff could levy the valued amount of stolen goods claimed by court or receive the same amount from the defendant. Upon payment for the stolen property, the judgment would be satisfied.
Compensation to Slave-owner for Executed Slaves	1846-1848	Statute	Non-residents of the State owning an enslaved black who was convicted and executed within Mississippi were not entitled to receive payment for the value of their slave.
Defining Slaves	1856	Statute	All persons lawfully held to service for life, the descendants of female slaves within Mississippi, and the descendants of females who could be lawfully brought into the State were considered slaves. No other persons were to be deemed slaves.
Mulattoes	1856	Statute	All persons with one-fourth part or more black blood were deemed mulattoes.
Personal Property	1856	Statute	All enslaved blacks and mulattoes were to be held, taken, and adjudged as personal property.
Emancipation	1856	Statute	It was unlawful for any person, either by will, deed or other conveyance, to emancipate any enslaved black in Mississippi. Enslaved blacks could not be removed from the State for the purpose of emancipation, and all wills, deeds, trusts, dispositions or other arrangements intended to accomplish emancipation were null and void. Blacks intended for emancipation would descend to and be distributed among the heirs at law of the testator.
Free Blacks: Suits For Freedom	1856	Statute	Any persons in Mississippi who believed that they were enslaved illegally could petition the circuit court for their freedom before a jury. If a black failed to prove his or her case for freedom, he or she was responsible for paying his or her owner all costs and damages incurred in the suit.If a black wished to begin proceedings for his or her freedom when there was no court in session, the petition could be presented to a judge of the circuit court, or to a judge of the high court of errors and appeals.Any person who aided a petitioner who failed to prove his or her claim for freedom, except his or her attorney, was to pay the slave-owner $100.00. The fine would be dismissed if the judge certified that there were probable grounds for the suit.Persons who were members of any society advocating the emancipation of slaves could not serve as jurors on the trial of any petition for freedom by a black against his or her master.
Importing Slaves	1856	Statute	It was lawful to bring into Mississippi any enslaved black born within the United States or its territories, except those who were convicted of any offense or were being secretly transported to avoid prosecution for a crime elsewhere.It was unlawful to import into Mississippi any enslaved black born outside the United States, or any enslaved black convicted of any offense. Persons importing such a person or persons were to pay a fine of $1,000.00. The penalty did not apply to persons who were passing through the State for less than one year and who did not try to offer the black for sale.
Slave Trade	1856	Statute	Persons importing an enslaved black into the State as merchandise for sale were required to present to the county clerk a statement or oath verifying the character of the black, the place from which he or she was imported, that the enslaved person was not guilty of any felony or other crime, and that the person offering him or her for sale came into possession of him or her legally. Persons who offered a slave for sale and did not comply with the certification process were guilty of a high misdemeanor. If convicted, they would pay a fine of $500.00 for every enslaved person so sold, and they could be imprisoned up to six months.
Freedom of Movement	1856	Statute	Slave-owners, who licensed a slave to go at large and trade as a free man either in writing or verbally, were to be fined $50.00.
Hiring Out	1856	Statute	It was lawful for any person to bring enslaved blacks, who had hired themselves out, before the Justice of the Peace. Enslaved blacks owned by a non-resident of Mississippi who allowed them to trade goods or work for hire would be jailed as runaways.
Selling or Trading Goods	1856	Statute	Slave-owners who licensed or permitted a slave to go at large and buy articles for the purpose of selling were guilty of a misdemeanor and were to be fined $50.00. The slaves of owners who repeated the offense could be jailed as runaways.
Free Blacks	1856	Statute	Persons who employed a free black to engage in trade were to incur the same penalty as though such a freed person was his or her slave.If any slaveholder permitted an enslaved black, or if any person employed the enslaved black of another or employed a free black to trade goods outside the limits of an incorporated town, they would be fined between $50.00 and $500.00.
Religion	1856	Statute	Slave-owners were prohibited from allowing their enslaved blacks to leave their premises to serve as ministers of the gospel. The fine for such an offense was $20.00. Slave-owners could permit blacks to preach on their own premises.
Housing	1856	Statute	Six or more enslaved blacks were required to be housed within a mile of their owner's residence unless a white male overseer performed patrol duty. In addition, enslaved blacks living in a town had to reside on the same lot as their owner. Any violation of the provisions of this Act was a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of between $200.00 and $1,000.00.No person could knowingly permit any enslaved blacks not belonging to him to remain in or about his house or kitchen, or upon his plantation more than four hours at any one time without leave or permission from the black's owner. The penalty for such an offense was $20.00 for every enslaved black involved. Provision did not apply to enslaved blacks sent on business for their owner.
Passes Required	1856	Statute	Enslaved blacks were prohibited from leaving the grounds of their owner without a pass. If an enslaved black were found off his or her owner's grounds without such permission, any person could apprehend and take the person or persons before a Justice of the Peace, who could order the accused enslaved black to be punished with a whipping up to 20 lashes. Enslaved or free blacks who furnished a pass or permits to enslaved blacks without the permission of their owners could be punished with up to 39 lashes.No pass or permission to any black to buy, sell, or trade shall have been deemed valid unless signed by the owner, listing the articles to be bought or sold. Blacks attempting to use a pass to buy or sell other than as noted, or buying or selling without a pass, were ordered to receive 39 lashes.Sheriffs, coroners, constables, and Justices of the Peace were required to seize and take all articles from any enslaved black trying to sell them without proper permission. In addition, it was an authority's responsibility to order that the enslaved black receive up to 39 lashes for such an offense.
Weapons	1856	Statute	No enslaved black shall keep or carry any firearm or other weapons, except the tools with which it necessary for him or her to work, or such as he may be ordered by his or her owner to carry from one place to another. Enslaved blacks found with a weapon were to be whipped up to 39 lashes. Justices of the Peace had the power to grant written permission to any enslaved black on the application of his owner to carry and use a gun within the limits of the premises of the owner for a term of up to one year. The license could be revoked at any time.
Violence Against Whites	1856	Statute	Enslaved blacks were prohibited from rioting, using provoking or insulting language to anyone not black, or lifting his or her hand in opposition to any one not black unless in self-defense. If found guilty, the enslaved black would be whipped.
Reading and Writing	1856	Statute	Meetings of more than five enslaved blacks and free blacks at any place for the purpose of teaching reading or writing were deemed unlawful assembly. Enslaved blacks were to be punished with a whipping of up to 39 lashes.
Religion	1856	Statute	Slave-owners could give their enslaved blacks permission to attend religious services conducted by a licensed white minister or attended by at least two "discreet and respectable white persons."
Petit Larceny	1856	Statute	Enslaved blacks who stole goods valued at less than $20.00 were guilty of petit larceny, and the master was responsible for restoring the stolen goods to the rightful owner or paying him for their value. Offenders were to be punished with up to 39 lashes, and the slave-owner was responsible for paying court costs.
Grand Larceny	1856	Statute	Enslaved blacks who stole goods worth more than $20.00 were guilty of grand larceny, and were to be tried and punished in the same manner as for petit larceny. The slave-owner was responsible for returning the goods or paying for the stolen property, provided that the value did not exceed the value of the enslaved black who committed the crime.
Assault and Battery on a White Person	1856	Statute	Any enslaved black who committed an assault and battery on a white person was to be punished with any number of lashes on the back as directed by the court. The slaveholder was responsible for court costs.Any enslaved black who committed an assault on any white person with the intent to kill, when implied malice only was shown, was to receive up to 100 lashes each day for three successive days. The Article did not apply to an assault upon the slave-owner of the enslaved person.
Poison	1856	Statute	Any enslaved person who administered any poison to a domestic animal or maliciously exposed any poison to an animal was to be punished, "not amounting to life or limb," as determined by the court.
Insurrections, Rebellions, Murder of Whites	1856	Statute	Enslaved blacks found guilty of conspiring to rebel, make insurrection, or plot to murder any white person would be found guilty of a felony punishable by death.
Arson, Burglary, Murder, Rape	1856	Statute	Enslaved blacks who were found guilty of murdering any human being, maiming a white person, committing a rape or attempted rape on any white woman or having sexual relations with a white female child under 14 years old, or who were found guilty of the manslaughter of any white person, the malicious setting of fire to any dwelling house, cotton house, gin house, machine shop or other building, or burglary would be sentenced to death.
Assault with Intent to Kill a White	1856	Statute	Any enslaved black who committed an assault upon any white person with the intent to kill, and not in self-defense, would be sentenced to death. Assaults made on a black's master, mistress, or overseer in "resistance of legal chastisement" also carried a death sentence. A conviction did not require proof of malice.
Poison with Intent to Kill	1856	Statute	If any enslaved black prepared any poison with intent to kill another person, or poisoned any spring, well, cistern, reservoir, or vessel of water, with intent to kill, would be found guilty of felony and sentenced to death.
Acquitted	1856	Statute	Enslaved blacks tried for a capital offense and acquitted could be held in custody to be tried for a lesser offense and convicted according to the rules of law.
Testimony	1856	Statute	Enslaved or free blacks could testify for or against free or enslaved blacks, but could not do so for whites. A black's owner could also serve as a witness for him or her in all criminal cases. Voluntary confessions could also be taken from a black offender.
False Testimony	1856	Statute	If any enslaved black gave false testimony in a case where the punishment was death, he or she would be sentenced to have one ear nailed to the pillory, stand for one hour, and then the ear would be cut off. The process would then be repeated on the other ear. In cases where the punishment was not death, an enslaved black witness who gave false testimony would receive 39 lashes, which could be repeated for five successive days.
Counsel in Capital Cases	1856	Statute	In capital cases when a slave-owner did not employ legal counsel to defend an enslaved black for a crime that carried a death sentence, the court would assign legal counsel and order the owner to pay the expense up to $100.00. If an enslaved black were found guilty and sentenced to die, the expense would be deducted from the value of the enslaved black and the amount allowed the owner from the State treasury.
Execution	1856	Statute	In capital crime cases, 20 days would be allowed between the time of judgment and the date of execution, except in case of conspiracy, insurrection, or rebellion.Any citizen of Mississippi whose enslaved black was condemned to die by a court order was to receive one half his or her monetary value. Before passing judgment, the county sheriff would summon five slaveholders to appear in court to certify the value of the enslaved black on trial. The valuation would be presented to the auditor who would issue a warrant for payment from the treasury to the slave-owner.
Indictments	1856	Statute	ART. 67. Indictments against an enslaved black for a capital offense did not require the name of a slave's owner to prove ownership. Blacks were to be admitted to bail as others charged with similar crimes, with the master becoming principal in his or her recognition.
Trials for Enslaved and Free Blacks	1856	Statute	Enslaved and free blacks charged with non-capital offenses were to be tried by two Justices of the Peace and five slaveholders. The Justices and slaveholders, after examining witnesses and evidence, would decide the case and determine the non-lethal corporal punishment to be inflicted upon the accused.
Trials by County Circuit Court in Capital Cases	1856	Statute	Upon examination and investigation, if a majority of the Justices and slaveholders trying a non-capital case found that the enslaved black being tried was guilty of a crime punishable by death, it was the duty of the Justices to commit the enslaved black to prison. The prisoner would then be tried by the county circuit court. Justices were to send a file to the circuit court clerk of all the evidence they had reviewed and a list of witnesses in the trial.
Justice of the Peace in Cases Involving Enslaved B	1856	Statute	In cases where a Justice of the Peace failed to attend a trial for an enslaved black, the Justice in attendance would summon another Justice to take his place. When one of the five slaveholders did not attend the trial, another slave-owner would be found to replace him.
Failure to Serve on a Trial	1856	Statute	If any slaveholder summoned to sit on the trial of any enslaved black refused or failed to attend without good cause, he would be fined $50.00. Slaveholders who were prevented from attending due to personal illness, illness of a family member, or an accident or some other unavoidable cause were excused, and they had 60 days to file an affidavit explaining their situation to the court.
Larceny	1856	Statute	In cases of larceny, Justices and slaveholders serving on the cases were to certify the amount of money or the value of the articles stolen, which would be noted in court records.
Appeals	1856	Statute	Slaveholders had the right to appeal the decision of a circuit court concerning an enslaved black if he posted a bond set by Justices. The enslaved black's appeal would be heard in the next succeeding term of the county circuit court. The slaveholder would be responsible for all costs incurred on the case. The appeal would be tried and decided in the same manner as enslaved blacks were tried in circuit court for similar offenses.
Free Blacks: Allowed to Remain in State	1856	Statute	All free blacks residing lawfully within the State were permitted to remain as long as they complied with the terms and conditions of State legislation. Failure to meet these conditions would result in the loss of their license. The children of such free blacks born after their parents were given permission to remain in the State could also remain.
Free Blacks: Unlawful to Immigrate to Mississippi	1856	Statute	It was unlawful for any free black to immigrate to Mississippi. If apprehended, a black had ten days to leave. Free blacks who failed to comply with this demand were to be jailed. The Board of Police had the authority to order the sale of the black into slavery for life.
Free Blacks: License to Remain and Travel in State	1856	Statute	Free blacks who had lawful authority to remain in the State were required to take their license with them if they traveled from one county to another. Failure to produce such a document would land the black in jail, which put him or her at risk of being sold into slavery. Free blacks could travel with whites as their servants.
Free Blacks: Crimes by	1856	Statute	Free blacks who provided a pass to an enslaved black to leave his or her owner's residence would be punished with 39 lashes, and pay court costs.
Free Blacks: Weapons	1856	Statute	Free blacks were prohibited from keeping any firearms or weapons without a license from the chief magistrate of a town. The license could be revoked at any time. Free blacks violating the law would be required to surrender their weapons to the informer. A second offense would result in 39 lashes.
Free Blacks: Assaulting or Insulting Whites, Sedit	1856	Statute	Free blacks found guilty of unlawful assembly with slaves would receive up to 39 lashes. Committing riots, trespassing, engaging in "malicious mischief," making a seditious speech, insulting or assaulting a white person, or serving as a minister of the gospel would also be punished with up to 39 lashes.
Liquor	1856	Statute	Any free black who gave or sold liquor to an enslaved black would be punished by 39 lashes, and be responsible for paying court costs.
Free Blacks: Insurrections	1856	Statute	Free blacks found guilty of conspiring with enslaved blacks to rebel, making insurrection against the white population, or assisting enslaved blacks in the murder of any person would be convicted of a felony and sentenced to die.
Free Blacks: Poison	1856	Statute	If any free black prepared or administered to any person any poison with the intent to kill, he or she would be found guilty of a felony and sentenced to die.
Free Blacks: Abolitionist Literature	1856	Statute	Any free black who was found guilty of bringing into the State any book, magazine, pamphlet or other written material containing abolitionist doctrine, or that would in any way endanger the peace of society by inciting rebellion among the enslaved population would be imprisoned in the penitentiary for up to ten years.
Free Black: Operating House of Entertainment, Groc	1856	Statute	Free blacks were prohibited from operating a house of entertainment or a grocery store to sell alcohol. Offenders would be fined $50.00 for each violation.
Free Blacks: Trials	1856	Statute	For all offenses in the code for which capital punishment or imprisonment in the penitentiary was not prescribed, free blacks would be tried as if they were enslaved, as directed by this Act, before two Justices of the Peace and five slaveholders. Offenses punishable by death or imprisonment in the penitentiary would be tried in the circuit court. All other offenses not mentioned would be tried and punished as for white persons.
Free Blacks: Aiding Runaways	1856	Statute	Any free black who had a license to remain in Mississippi and who transferred to any enslaved black such license with the intent to enable such a person to escape from his owner would be found guilty of a felony and imprisoned in the penitentiary for up to ten years.
Travel on Ferries and Toll Bridges	1856	Statute	Owners or keepers of ferries, toll bridges or gates, and who allowed any enslaved black to cross or pass without permission from the owner would pay the slaveholder $25.00 and be liable to the slaveholder for all damages.
Unlawful Assembly	1856	Statute	White persons found guilty of unlawful assembly with enslaved or free blacks would be fined up to $500.00.
Travel on Boats or on Railroad Cars.	1856	Statute	Any person who, without written permission, employed any enslaved black or boarded any such person on any steamboat, other type of water craft, railroad car, or any other type of vehicle would be liable to the owner of such black for damages, and be fined up to $1,000.00.Any owner of a boat or railroad car transporting a free black into the State would be guilty of a misdemeanor, and fined up to $500.00.
Liquor	1856	Statute	Persons authorized to sell alcohol were required to take an oath declaring that he would not sell or barter liquor to enslaved blacks, except on the request or by permission of the owner of such black. Persons who violated such an oath would forfeit their licenses to sell alcohol.
Transporting out of State for Emancipation	1856	Statute	Persons who took an enslaved black outside of the State for the purpose of emancipating him or her, and later brought the black back to Mississippi, would not be allowed to protect the emancipated black or claim authority over him or her. The former slave would be treated as a free black who lacked authority to remain in the State. Persons who claimed to protect a free black on the grounds of being their owner would be found guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $500.00.
Emancipation	August 14, 1865	Constitution	The Constitutional amendment outlawed slavery. The amendment was adopted in this form: "The institution of slavery having been destroyed in the State of Mississippi, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall hereafter exist in this State; and the legislature at its next session, and thereafter as the public welfare may require, shall provide by law for the protection of the person and property of the freedmen of the State and guard them and the State against any evils that may arise from their sudden emancipation."