Washington Black Codes

23. That if any slave be convicted under any of these pro-visions, the owner or owners of such slave shall be liable for the same, and Judgement may be rendered against such owner or owners, by any Justice of the peace as aforesaid, upon the conviction of the slave, but it shall be optional with the owner or owners of such slave or slaves, to have the whole of the fine remitted, except fifty cents, on condition he, she or they give directions to have the offending slave whipt, according to the judgment of the magistrate, who is hereby directed to remit so much there of, the residue to go to the person who inflicts the punishment. (Act 6th December, 1808)

24. That it shall be duty of each constable, when called on by any of the citizens of their respective wards to attend and disperse or take into custody any slave or person of colour, if offending against the laws of the city or county of Washington, and if taken, to have him or them carried before any one of the justices of the peace for the county of Washington, to be dealt with according to law. (Act 5th December, 1808, and 31st May, 1811.)

25. That it shall not be lawful for any person to entertain a slave or slaves after ten o'clock P.M. and for every slave found in the house or dwelling of another, after ten o'clock P.M. the person so entertaining them, shall forfeit and pay five dollars, but no fine shall be recovered of any person in whose house such slave or slaves are found, if it should appear they were sent there on any message by their master or mistress. (Act 6th December, 1808)