DECLARATION OF THE KING, concerning Free persons who harbor the Enslaved, and Gifts made to People of color by White people

LOUIS, &c. The late King, our most honored Lord and Great-Grandfather, had, by his Letters Patent in the form of an Edict, of March 1685, established a law and fixed rules on what concerns the status and condition of the enslaved in the Islands of America; but on the representations made to Us, that it suits the good and advantage of our said Colonies to add to certain provisions of the said Edict, and to remove others, having regard to present circumstances: FOR THESE REASONS, interpreting, as far as needed, the said Edict of March 1685, We declare and order, will and are pleased as follows: That article 39 of the said Edict be executed according to its form and tenor; and accordingly, that the emancipated who have given shelter in their houses to fugitive enslaved people be sentenced, with imprisonment, toward the enslaver, to a fine of three hundred livres of sugar for each day of harboring; and other free persons who have given them shelter, to a fine of ten livres tournois, for each day of harboring.