VERY EARLY SOUTH CAROLINA IMPRINT WITH EXTENSIVE LAWS RELATING TO SLAVERY

[SOUTH CAROLINA - SLAVES]. Acts Passed by the General Assembly of South Carolina, at a Session begun to be holden at Charles-Town on Wednesday the Tenth Day of September… in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty-Six. Charleston, SC: Peter Timothy, 1747. Folio (292 x 191 mm). Wood-engraved title vignette, head- and tail-piece. Early marbled wrappers (extremities rubbed). (Occasional contemporary marginalia and pagination, some light spotting). A RARE SOUTH CAROLINA IMPRINT WITH SLAVE MATERIAL. The official printer of South Carolina at this time, Peter Timothy, was the son of the proto-printer of the state, Lewis Timothy, and (as recorded by an article by Douglas C. McMurtrie) was a regular correspondent with Benjamin Franklin (who had helped his father establish the press). Several Acts regarding slaves are mentioned including a Lift of all male slaves who have “in a time of war behaved themselves with great faithfulness and courage” (Act XXXVII); slaves recommended to be faithful, to be enlisted (Act XXXVIII); in times of invasions, such slaves be incorporated with the militia (Act XXXIX); a per Diem to be paid for the use of each slave, if killed or wounded the Owner to be satisfied (Act XL); all Negroes returning to this Province after having been taken by His Majesty’s enemies have hereby their Freedom (“An Act”). Sabin 87574; Shipton & Mooney 40441.