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of African and European descent often worked side by side in the fields as indentured servants. But this would change as the slave system developed. In Virginia the laws said that masters could not force indentured servants to work for them permanently. After the completion of their indenture period, servants were set free. As part of their agreement, their masters were supposed to provide them with “freedom dues,” which included land, supplies, and a firearm. These things were meant to help their former servants start a successful life in the colony as free citizens. Records show that both black and white indentured servants received freedom dues at the end of their service in the 1620s and 1630s. At the same time, however, an indentured servant who failed to fulfill the terms of their agreement would be punished. The colonial authorities might order the servant to be whipped, or branded, or to have additional time added to their indenture period. These penalties applied to both black and white servants. However, in time the colony began to pass laws that discriminated against blacks. In 1639, the Virginia legislature passed a law requiring all people in the colonies to own firearms,

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THE SLAVE TRADE IN COLONIAL AMERICA