1639: “Act for the Liberties of the People”

Legalizing Race Based Slavery

Attitudes condoned actions. Ideologies rationalized behaviors. The enslavement of African people expanded. As the economy grew and white merchants, plantation owners, and other businessmen became dependent on this “free” labor source, they looked for ways to legally enshrine and protect it.  

In Maryland’s 1639 “Act for the Liberties of the People,” enslaved people were explicitly excepted from legal protections.

Be it Enacted By the Lord Proprietarie of this Province of and with the advice and approbation of the ffreemen of the same that all the Inhabitants of this Province being Christians (Slaves excepted) Shall have and enjoy all such rights liberties immunities priviledges and free customs within this Province as any naturall born subject of England hath or ought to have or enjoy in the Realm of England by force or vertue of the common law or Statute Law of England.... (Rees, 2001 – italics added by the author)

The act denied African enslaved persons both citizenship in Maryland and any legal right to fair treatment or freedom of will (Miller, 2015, p. 267).