WHEREAS, there is good cause to imagine that many seamen and mariners have been prevented from entering on board Continental vessels of war and armed vessels in the service of this State, by reason of their having previously engaged to serve private persons under penal articles, for the breach of which they would be subject to actions at law; in order, therefore, to remove such inconvenience,

I. Be it ordained, by His Excellency John Rutledge, Esq., President and Commander-in-chief in and over the State of South Carolina, and by the honourable the Legislative Council and the General Assembly of the said State, and by authority of the same, That no seaman or mariner, who shall enter on board any Continental vessel of war, or any armed vessel in the service of this State, shall be sued or in any manner molested for or by reason of any article or agreement which he hath made or may make to proceed on any cruise or voyage, or to work on board of any private ship or vessel; but all such articles and agreements shall, as to such seamen and mariners, be absolutely null and void.

Seamen on board armed vessels
not to be sued for any private contract.

II. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That no seaman or mariner, for such entry, shall forfeit any wages or any share of prize money which shall be due to him for his service on board such private ship or vessel; any law, usage, custom or agreement to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

And shall recover their wages or shares due from
private vessels.

III. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That this ordinance shall be and continue of full force until the last day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, and no longer.