the-ordinances-of-the-legislative-counci-1890 — Page 37

ORDINANCE No. 1 OF 1844 . 1


Slavery.


No. 1 of 1844 .

An Ordinance to define the law relating to slavery in Hongkong. Title.

[ 28th February , 1844. ]

HEREAS it is expedient to define and promulgate the law respecting slavery Preamble.
W in the Colony of Hongkong.

1. Be it therefore enacted and declared by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Laws of England
prohibitory
advice of the Legislative Council thereof, that the laws of England prohibitory of of slavery to be
in force at Hong
kong.
slavery, together with the punishments and penalties provided therein , shall be in full
virtue and operation and shall be duly enforced and inflicted in the said Colony, save
as hereinafter excepted .

2. And be it enacted, that every one whatsoever using or treating, or attempting Liabilities incur
red by every one
treating any
to use or treat, any person as a slave in Hongkong, shall upon conviction thereof person as a slave
in Hongkong.
before the Chief Magistrate of Police of Hongkong, or before such Court of Justice as
may hereafter be established in Hongkong, be liable to be imprisoned for any period
not exceeding two years, with or without hard labour and corporal punishment , and

: shall forfeit to Her Majesty Her Heirs and Successors, for the public uses of the said
Colony of Hongkong, such sum not exceeding five hundred dollars for each offence,
and also such other additional sum not exceeding two hundred dollars to be paid to
any person giving information of the said offence, as shall be adjudged by the said
Chief Magistrate or Court aforesaid.

3. And be it enacted that if any person, not being a subject of Her Majesty, Liabilities incur
red by foreigners
shall come within the precincts of the Colony of Hongkong, bringing with him any coming to Hong
kong with slaves
and not convey
person previously a slave, and shall not forthwith on being lawfully requested, or ing them before
Chief or other
within ten days after his arrival as aforesaid (whether thereto being required or not) Magistrate.
convey such previous slave before the Chief Magistrate of Police at Hongkong, or
before the nearest Justice of the Peace, such person shall, on being convicted thereof
as aforesaid, be liable to be imprisoned for any period not exceeding six months, with
or without hard labour and corporal punishment, and shall forfeit to Her Majesty Her
Heirs and Successors, for the public uses of the Colony, such sum not exceeding one
hundred dollars for each offence, and also such additional sum not exceeding fifty
dollars, to be paid to the person giving information of the said offence, as shall be
adjudged as aforesaid.

4. And be it enacted, on any such previous slave being produced before such Slave produced
before Magis
Magistrate as aforesaid, that it shall be explained to him, apart from his former owner, trate to be set
free.
that slavery is prohibited in the Colony of Hongkong, and that he is free to depart
whithersoever he pleases, and such Magistrate as aforesaid shall take due care that
such liberty is freely exercised .

5. And be it enacted in case of any such previous slave expressing a wish to Owner of slave
retaining slave in
remain with his former owner, that such owner shall, together with two approved his service to
enter into a bond
sureties, resident householders in Hongkong aforesaid, enter into a bond to Her with sureties