The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-11-13
MEMOIR OF II. ISLAND.
TOUCHING THE COMMON LAW.

sommon men and is profitable either TO
direct or correct all without exception,
and it being true which that great Doctor
OF the Gentiles once said that the law is
made or brought to light not for right
cous man who is n law unto himself but
for the lawless and disobedient in the
general, but more particularly for MUIR
dcrers of fathers and mothers, for man.
slayers, for whoremongers, and those
that defile themselves with mankind, for
merstealors, for liars and perured per-
sons, unto which upon the point may be
reduced the common law Of the Realm
of England the end Of which is as is
propounded to preserve every man safe
In his own person name and estate, we
do agree TO make or rather to bripg z such
laws to light for the direction or correc-
tion of such lawless persons, and for their
memories, safe to reduce ,hem TO these
five general laws or heads, &c.
Under that head of numbering fathers
and mothers, being the highest and most
unnatural are comprehended those laws
that concern high treason, petty treason,
rebellion, misbehavior and their accessa-
ries.
Under the law for manslayers are
comprehended those laws that concern
self murder, murder, homicide, msad-
venture, casual death, cutting out the
tongue or eyes, witchcraft, burglary,
robbery, burning of houses, forciblc en-
try, rescous and escape, riots, routs and
unlawful assemblies, batteries, assaults,
and threats and their accessories.
Under the law for whoremongers, and
those that defle themselves with man.
kind being the chief Of that nature are
comprehended those laws that concern
sodomie, buggery, rape, adultery, forni-
fcation and their accessories.
Under the law for menstealcrs, being
the chief of that nature are comprehend
ed those laws that concern theft of men,
larcene, trespases by men or beasts,
fraudulent dealing by deccitful bargain
covenant, conveyances by barratry, con-
spiracy, champerty and maintainance,
by forging or raising records, wrts,
deeds, lenses, bills and by using false
weights and measures aud their accessa-
ries.
Under the law for liars and periured
persons being the chief Of that nature are
comprehendcd such as concern perjury
itself, breach Of covenant slander, false
witness bearing and their accessories.
And as necessary concomitants hereof
to prevent murder, theft and perjury, we
do jointly agree in this present assembly
to make or produce such laws as con-
cern provision for the poor, SO that the
impotent shall be maintained and the a
bic employed, and to prevent poverties,
1t is agreed that such laws be made and
produced as concerns the ordering of ale
houses, and taverns, drunkenness and
unlawful gaming therein and instead Of
such to propagate archery, which is both
manlike and profitable, and to prevent
whoredom and those evils before men,
toned. 1t is agreed by this present as
sembly to constitute and establish some
ordinance touching marriage probate OF
wills and intestates.
Then follows lin the Records a copious
digest Of excellent and well arranged
laws, each under its respective head.
They are too voluminous for publication
but we would particularly recommend
their perusal to any one desirous of max.
ing himself acquainted with the jurispru-
dencc Of Rhode Island. The word Sun
day or Sabbath is not mentioncd-no
day is set apart for recreation or religious
observance. Faithful to their professions
OF religious liberty, the legislators of r..
Island loft each individual free to observe
what days he pleased, or to omit the OBJ
servance of any. The subject of re-
hgion was not in their opinion within the
province Of legislation, each individual
aud each religious association were pro-
tected in their belief but not restrained
by the Government or Iaws established