s, to
that which inveterate prejudice in many parts of Europe has
fixed upon the Jews."

Though nominally free, they did not come under the head of
"Christians." Neither freedom, nor baptism in the Church, could free
them from the race-malice of the whites, that followed them like the
fleet-footed "Furies." There were special regulations for free
Negroes. The Act of 1703, forbidding slaves from being out at night
after the hour of nine o'clock, extended to free Negroes.[335] In 1707
an Act was passed "regulating of free negroes."[336] It recites that
"free negroes and mulattos, able of body, and fit for labor, who are
not charged with trainings, watches, and other services,"[337] shall
perform service equivalent to militia training. They were under the
charge of the officer in command of the military company belonging to
the district where they resided. They did fatigue-duty. And the only
time, that, by law, the Negro was admitted to the trainings, was
between 1652 and 1656. But there is no evidence that the Negroes took
advantage of the law. Public sentiment is more potent than law. In
May, 1656, the law of 1652, admitting Negroes to the trainings, was
repealed.

"For the better ordering and settling of severall cases in
the military companyes within this jurisdiction, which, upon
experience, are found either wanting or inconvenient, it is
ordered and declared by this Court and the authoritie
thereof, that henceforth no negroes or Indians, although
servants to the English, shal be armed or permitted to
trayne, and y't no other person shall be exempted from
trayning but such as some law doth priveledge."[338]

And Gov. Bradstreet, in his report to the "Committee for Trade," made
in May, 1680, says,--

"We account all generally from Sixteen to Sixty that are
healthfull and strong bodys, both House-holders and Servants
fit to beare Armes, _except Negroes_ and _slaves_, whom wee
arme not."[339]

The law of 1707--which is the merest copy of the Virginia law on the
same subject--requires free Negroes to answer fire-alarms with the
company belonging to their respective precincts. They were not allowed
to entertain slave friends at their houses, without the permission of
the owner of the slaves. To all prohibitions there was affixed severe
fines in large sums of money. In case of a failure to pay these fines,
the delinquent was sent to the House of C