Thirty-nine petitioners ask the legislature to more rigorously regulate the movements of people of color. They argue that "under the name and Character of Free Negroes, many idle and evil-disposed Slaves througout this County, stroll thro' the same, some with, and some without passes or certificates." There are also many black "Stragglers and Vagabonds, from the neighbouring Counties" who "come and go, in similar Circumstances and under the same character, whereby their legal Owners are for a long time deprived of their Service." They further assert that "numbers of Negroes who have been manumitted in other States and Counties, have come into ours, many of whom are likely to become chargeable." They seek a law prohibiting "the negroes aforesaid, from travelling, especially from one County in to the other, without a written or printed pass or Certificate." The pass, "with the County's Seal affixed thereto," should include the bearer's name and place of abode.
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Repository: Delaware State Archives, Dover, Delaware
