The precise text is quoted in each case. The figures in brackets [] refer to paragraphs in the text. The sign (¤) indicates that the full text is to be found in the reference cited.
=1. New Netherlands:--Running away from Patroons. [§ 2].=
=1629, June 7.= Freedoms and exemptions. Granted by the West India Company to all Patroons, Masters or Private Persons who will plant Colonies in New Netherlands.--"XVIII. The Company promise the colonists of the Patroons.... XIX.--And any Colonist who shall leave the service of his Patroon and enter into the service of another, or shall, contrary to his contract, leave his service, we promise to do everything in our power to apprehend and deliver the same into the hands of his Patroon or attorney, that he may be proceeded against according to the customs of this country, as occasion may require."--¤_Laws and Ordinances of New Netherlands, 7._
=2. Massachusetts:--Capture and protection of servants. [§ 4.]=
=1630-1641.= "Acts respecting Masters, Servants, and Labourers."--"Sec. 3. It is also ordered, that when any servants shall run from their masters, or any other inhabitants shall privily go away with suspicion of evil intentions, it shall be lawful for the next magistrate, or the constable and two of the chief inhabitants where no magistrate is, to press men and boats or pinnaces at the publick charge, to pursue such persons by sea and land, and bring them back by force of arms.... Sec. 6. It is ordered, and by this court declared; that if any servant shall flee from the tyranny and cruelty of his or her master to the house of any freeman of the same town, they shall be there protected and sustained till due order be taken for their relief; provided due notice thereof be speedily given to their master from whom they fled, and to the next magistrate or constable where the party so fled is harboured."--¤_Charters and General Laws of the Colony and Province of Massachusetts Bay, 155._
=3. New Netherlands:--Runaway servants. [§ 6.]=
=1640, Aug. 7.= "Ordinance of the Director and Council of New Netherland, against Fugitives from Service, and providing for the proper drawing up of Legal Instruments." Passed 9 August, 1640. "Whereas many Servants daily run away from their masters, whereby the latter are put to great inconvenience and expense; the Corn and Tobacco rot in the field and the whole Harvest is at a stand still, which tends to the serious injury of this country, to their Masters' ruin, and to bring the magistracy into contempt. We, therefore, command all farm and house Servants faithfully to serve out their time with their Masters according to their contracts and in no manner to run away, and if they have any thing against their masters, to come to Us and make application to be heard in due form of Law, on pain of being punished and of making good all losses and damages of their Masters and serving double the time they may lose.... We do, also, forbid all inhabitants of New Netherland to harbor or feed any of these Fugitive Servants under the penalty of Fifty guilders, for the benefit of the Informer; 1/3 for the new Church and 1/3 for the Fiscal." Dated as above.--¤_Laws and Ordinances of New Netherlands, 32._