A Bill against fugitive Servants, and entertainers of them.

East New Jersey Laws, March 1682, ch. IX, L&S 239

[§1] BE IT ENACTED by the Governor, Council, and Deputies in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, that every apprentice, or servant, that shall depart or absent themselves from their master or mistress, without leave first obtained, shall be adjudged by the court to double the time of such their absence by future service, besides all costs and damages, which the master or mistress shall have sustained by such unlawful departure. [§2] Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that whosoever shall knowingly transport, or contrive the transportation of any apprentice, servant or slave, or be any aiding or assisting thereto, and be thereof lawfully convicted, shall be fined five pounds, and make full satisfaction to the master or mistress of such apprentice, servant or slave, for all costs and damages which the said master or mistress can make appear to have thereby sustained. [§3] Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that every inhabitant who shall entertain, or afford any manner of relief to such apprentice, servant or slave, knowing that he hath absented himself as aforesaid, except of real charity, and thereof be lawfully convicted, shall pay to the master or mistress of such servant, ten shillings for every days entertainment and concealment, and be fined according to the discretion of the court.