a 1754 Act aimed at readdressing the problem of stealing slaves reinforced the penalties. This gave probably the most overt definition of slaves as property in the period, and is worthwhile to close this section: WHEREAS, by the laws of this Province, negroes and other slaves are deemed to be chattels personal, and are, in every respect, as much the property of their owners, as any other goods or chattels are; . . .37
