Untitled - African American History

1XXV1 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF SLAVERY.
became a citizen (ingtnuus). The slave, without the consent
of his master, could not obtain his liberty. The
addictus solvendo, by redeeming his price, could demand
his release. 1
The purchaser took with the debtor, all that belonged
to him, and hence his children, unless previously eman-
cipated from the paternal power, went into slavery
together with their father. This power of the creditor
over the debtor, caused frequent disturbances, and was
much weakened by the Licinian laws. 2
Its final abrogation
happened in this wise : A young man, Caius
Publilius, of extreme youth and beauty, surrendered his
person for his father's debt, to one Papirius, a cruel
usurer. He, excited with lust, approached the youth
with impure discourses; and then by threats, and finally
by stripes, endeavored to compel his assent. With the
marks of the scourge upon him, the young man rushed
into the street. A large concourse of people gathered
around him in the forum, and from thence in a body
went to the Senate-house. The consuls called the Senate,
and as each senator went in he was shown the lacerated
youth and told the tale of cruelty. The consequence
was, a law abolishing this penalty upon the insolvent
debtor. 3
Another internal source of slavery was the penalty
for violating various laws. The person who withdrew
himself from the census, or who avoided military ser-
vice, the open robber, and the free female who maintained
sexual intercourse with a slave, severally forfeited
their freedom. 4 After the battle of Cannse, the dictator,
to all such as
pressed by the necessity, offered liberty
1 Ibid. Wallon, ii, 24, 25.
8 Livy, Bk. VIII,
28.
2 Arnold's Hist. ch. xxvi.
4 So. Quart. Rev. xiv, 393 ; Wallon, ii, 31, 32 ; Gaius, iii, 189. The
latter was by senatus-consultum Claudianum. For its provisions, see
Smith's Dictionary. The master of the slave might relieve her of the
penalty by consenting to the cohabitation.