Proscription plaque 1746 from MacPherson Museum

[Archangel]

Very interesting, I wonder how many people were sent off to plantations for 7 years for violating this.

I took a quick look through my books to find an actual number. They tend to refer to large numbers without specifying an amount.

Try to keep a historical perspective. Transport to the colonies was not like a penal transport. It was closer to a death sentence. In crude terms, slavery was an investment, people protect their investments. Those sent to the colonies were sold into service which was a cost. There were certain conditions to be met on termination, if the person survived. There were many factors that caused the sentence to be extended. Few of these people survived. The only real way out was escape and mingling with the colonists, which evolved into slavery along race lines.

To grasp an idea of the magnitude of this event in world history, look to the number of places in the colonies named for Cumberland, or William, or Sweet William. All these are in homage to the leader who stopped the Scots.

[mkmound]

I took a quick look through my books to find an actual number. They tend to refer to large numbers without specifying an amount.

Try to keep a historical perspective. Transport to the colonies was not like a penal transport. It was closer to a death sentence. In crude terms, slavery was an investment, people protect their investments. Those sent to the colonies were sold into service which was a cost. There were certain conditions to be met on termination, if the person survived. There were many factors that caused the sentence to be extended. Few of these people survived. The only real way out was escape and mingling with the colonists, which evolved into slavery along race lines.

To grasp an idea of the magnitude of this event in world history, look to the number of places in the colonies named for Cumberland, or William, or Sweet William. All these are in homage to the leader who stopped the Scots.

This topic has come up a number of times here and in conversations I've had with others, but I admit I'm ignorant of the details . . . can anyone recommend some good books? Thanks!