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Language of the Spanish Royal Edict of 1693
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From the translation by Bruce Twyman:
"It has been notified … that eight black males and two black females who had run away from the city of San Jorge [Charlestown], arrived to that presidio asking for the holy water of baptism, which they received after being instructed in the Christian doctrine. Later on, the chief sergeant of San Jorge visited the city with the intention to claim the runaways, but it was not proper to do so, because they had already become Christians
.... As a prize for having adopted the Catholic doctrine and become Catholicized, as soon as you get this letter, set them all free and give them anything they need, and favor them as much as possible. I hope them to be an example, together with my generosity, of what others should do."
Sources:
Twyman 36 citing the Royal Edict of 1693 by Charles II, King of Spain.
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