"An Act," Telegraph and Texas Register, January 11, 1837

Summary: Printed two acts passed by the Texas congress dealing with the slave trade. They stated that anyone caught importing slaves illegally into Texas, and convicted in a Texas court, would suffer the death penalty. The only slaves allowed to be transferred legally into Texas were those who had already been slaves in the United States.

AN ACT

Supplementary to an act for the punishment of Crimes and Misdemeanors.

SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the Republic of Texas in congress assembled, That if any person or persons shall introduce any African negro or negroes, contrary to the true interest and meaning of the ninth section of the general provisions of the constitution, declaring the introduction of African negroes into this republic, to be piracy, except such as are from the United States of America, and had been held as slaves therein, be considered guilty of piracy; and upon conviction thereof, before any court having cognizance of the same, shall suffer death, without the benefit of clergy.

SEC. 2d. Be it further enacted, That if any person or persons shall introduce into the republic of Texas, any Africans or any slave or slaves, from the United States of America, except such slave or slaves as were previously introduced and held in slavery in that republic, in conformity with the laws of that government, shall be deemed guilty of piracy, and upon conviction thereof, before any court having cognizance of the same, shall uffer[sic] death.

IRA INGRAM,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

RICHARD ELLIS,

President of the Senate pro tem.

Approved, 21st December, 1836.

SAM. HOUSTON.

Source Copy Consulted: "An Act," Telegraph and Texas Register, January 11, 1837, p. 4