Acts of the House of Burgesses

“ Your Majesty’s ancient Colony and Dominion of Virginia hath at all Times and upon every Occasion been entirely devoted to your Majesty’s sacred Person and Government, and we cannot forego this Opportunity of renewing those Assurances of the truest Loyalty and warmest Affection, which we have so often, with the greatest Sincerity, given to the Best of Kings, whose Wisdom and Goodness we esteem the surest Pledges of the Happiness of all his people. ”

“ The Importation of Slaves into the Colonies from the Coast of Africa hath long been considered as a Trade of great Inhumanity, and, under its present Encouragement, we have too much reason to fear will endanger the very Existence of your Majesty’s American Dominions. ”

“ II. And be it further enacted, that the said duty be, and the same is hereby appropriated for and towards defraying the contingent charges of this government, and to and for such other use and uses as the general assembly, from time to time, shall direct and appoint. ”