An Act Concerning Patrols, ch. 671, no. 14, §§ 15–17, 1833 Fla. Territory Laws 26, 32–33 (William Wilson).

“Chap. 671. [No. 14.] AN ACT concerning Patrols...

    ...Sec. 15. Be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for any patrol of this Territory, to take from any slave or slaves any fire arms, or other dangerous weapons, to be delivered by said patrol to the justice of the peace of said district.
    Sec. 16. Be it further enacted,^[1] That any fire arms, or other articles so taken by the patrol, shall be delivered over to the nearest justice of the peace...
    ...Sec. 17. Be it further enacted, That it shall not be lawful for any slave, free negro, or mulatto, to keep or retain in his or their house or houses, any fire arms whatsoever, and it is hereby made the duty of the patrol to search negro houses or other suspected places, for fire arms, and if they find any, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, may take the same to the nearest justice of the peace…and the negro, or negroes, in whose possession the same may be found, on failing to give a plain and satisfactory account of the manner he or they came possessed of the same may be severally punished, by moderate whipping on the bare back, not exceeding thirty-nine lashes."