Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-12-18
CONNECTICUT BLUE LAWS.


CONNECTICUT BLUE LAWS.
The following are, says the Columbian
Telescope, among the laws said to
have been made in the dominion of
New-Haven, at its first settlement
Perhaps tradition is the only authority
that can be given for their general ac-
curacy; although we are inclined to
believe that the judicial annals of the
state will prove that some of them are
genuine:
l. The governor and magistrates,
convened in general assembly, are the
supreme power, under God, of this indie
pendent dominion.
2. From the determination of the as
sembly no appeal can be made.
3. Whosoever says there is power
and jurisdiction above and over this do
minion, shall suffer death and loss of
property.
4. No one shall be freeman or give
vote, unless he be converted.
S. No Quaker nor dissenter from the
established worship of this dominion,
shall be allowed to give vote for the
election of magistrates, or any officer.
6. No food nor lodging shall be Offer
ed to Quaker, Adamite, or other here
tic.
z. IL any person turns Quaker, he
shall be banished, and not suffered to re-
turp. INT on main IF fleatb
s. No priest shall abide in the do
minion; he shall be banished, and suffer
death on his return.
9. Priests may be seized by any one
without warrant.
10. No one to cross river but with
an authorised ferryman.
IL. No one shall run ON the Sabbath
day, or walk in his garden, or elsewhere,
except rcverently to and from meeting.
IL. No one shall travel, cook victuals,
make beds, sweep houses, cut hair, or
shave, on the Sabbath day.
l3. No woman shall kiss her children
on the Sabbath day or fasting day.
Ia. The Sabbath shall begin at sunset
on Saturday.
Is. To pick an ear of corn in neigh
boris garden shall be deemed theft.
l6. A person accused of trespass in
the night, shall be judged guilty, unless
he clear himself by his oath.
II. When it appears that an accused
has confederates, and he refuses to dis
cover them, he may be racked.
l8. None shall buy or sell lands with
out permission of the selectmen.
l9. A drunkard shall have master
appointed by the selectmen, who is to
debar him from the liberty of buying
and selling.
20. Whosoever publishes lie to the
prejudice ofhis neighbour, shall be set in
the stocks, or be whipt ten stripes.
81. No minister shall keep school.
%. Every rateable person who re-
fuses to pay his proportion to support
the minister of the town or parish, shall
be fined by the court 81. and Al. every
quarter, until he or she pay the rate to
the minister.
%. Whosoever wears clothes trim
med with gold, silver, or bone lace,
above2 shillings per yard, shall be pre-
sented by thegrand jurors; and the Sc
lectmen shall tax the offender at 3o0i.
estate.
"a. A debtor in prison, swearing he
has no estate, shall be let out, and sold
to make satisfaction.
IS. Men-stealers to suffer death.
26. Whosoever sets a fire in the
woods, and it burns house, shall suffer
death; and persons suspected of this
crime shall be imprisoned without bcne-
fit of bail.
81. whatsoever brings cards or dice
into this dominion, shall pay fine Of
FIVE dollars.
%. No one shall read common PRAYER
books, keep Christmas, or set days,
make minced pies, dance, play cards, or
play any instrument of music, except the
drum, trumpet, or jews-harp.
20. gospel minister shall join peo-