What was the purpose of "the negro act of 1740"?
a) it was designed to prevent cruel treatment and excessive punishments of slaves on south carolina's plantations.
b) it was designed to protect and preserve the cultural traditions, language, folklore, and religion of the slaves.
c) it was designed to ensure that all slaves of school age be allowed to go to school one day a week and attend church on sundays.
d) it was designed to give slaveowners more control over their slaves by prohibited slaves from gathering without white supervision or learning to read and write.