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Virginia bans the congregation of enslaved African people.

Date: 1804

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On January 24, 1804, the Virginia General Assembly bans the congregation of enslaved African people, prohibiting “all meetings at any meeting house or any other place in the night.” Violation of the law results in corporal punishment of no more than twenty lashes. The interpretation and application of the law greatly varies by local county. The act attempts to limit the congregation of enslaved people to prevent further uprisings in the state.