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(GRAPHIC SLAVE ARREST WARRANT)

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(GRAPHIC SLAVE ARREST WARRANT)
A rather graphic early slave arrest warrant, 1p. sm. folio, Warren Co., NC, Dec. 22, 1798, a proclamation in which Justices of the Peace William Johnson and Thomas Christmas order the arrest or murder of two runaway slaves. In part: ""àtwo certain Negro Slavesànamed Jem and Mat, have absented themselves from their said Master's Service, and are lurking about in the Country committing many Acts of Felonyà[we] command the said Slaves forthwith to surrender themselves and return to said Masteràwe do hereby by virtue of an Act of the General Assemblyàdeclare, if the said Jem, and Mat, do not surrender themselves and return Home immediatelyàany Person may kill and destroy the said Slaves, by such Means as he or they may think fit, without Accusation or Impeachment of any Crimeà"". Trimmed very slightly at left margin costing one letter of text, one 2mm. hole at fold juncture, otherwise very good to fine condition. 2499