Four governments' laws on Native land and labour, 1542 to 1830

Because the Spanish Crown prohibited Indian slavery practically since the beginning of colonization, masters and colonists took pains to disguise their activities and resort to euphemisms and subterfuges.

We do hereby strictly forbid, on Pain of our Displeasure, all our loving Subjects from making any Purchases or Settlements whatever, or taking Possession of any of the Lands above reserved

to reserve under our Sovereignty, Protection, and Dominion, for the use of the said Indians, all the Lands and Territories not included within the Limits of Our said Three new Governments

All Panis and Negroes who have been purchased and who will be purchased, shall be the property of those who have purchased them and will be their slaves

Amongst colonists, however, their name rapidly became a generic way of referring to any Aboriginal slave.

Before 1709, no law protected “the investment” of slave owners.

for the reception of such tribes or nations of Indians as may choose to exchange the lands where they now reside, and remove there

An Act to provide for an exchange of lands with the Indians residing in any of the states or territories, and for their removal west of the river Mississippi.

To secure Indians’ compliance to relocate, the federal government depended on threats.

Congress passed, and President Andrew Jackson signed, this act which was the first major step in forcibly relocating American Indian tribes living east of the Mississippi River.