Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-29
THE RESTRICTIVE LAWS OF the OLDEN

The RESTRICTIVE LAWS or THE OLDEN
TINEs.--We were reading, recently, history
OF Connecticut from its first settlement under
George Fenwick, down to the revolution. The
volume was originally published in London, in
1871, and reprinted at New Haven, in 1929;
and we found some curious enactments there
in. Here are some of the laws:
Whoever wears clothes trimmed with gold,
silver, or bone lace, above two shilings by the
yard, shall be presented by the grand Jurors,
and the selectmen shall tax the offender at
1900 estate"
"a debtor, in prison, swearing he hath no
estate, shall be let out and sold to make salts.
faction
mo one shall read the book of Common
Prayer, keep Christmas or. Saints days, make
minced pies, dance, play cards, or play on any
instrument of music, except the drum, trum,
pet, and Jewsharp"
'The Sabbath day shall begin at sunset on
Saturday"
'.No woman shall kiss her children on the
Sabbath or fasting day."
mo one shall travel, cook victuals, make
beds, sweep house, cut hair, or shave, on the
Sabbath day."
mo one shall run on the Sabbath day, or
walk in his garden, or elsewhere, except rever-
emily to and from meeting"
"No one to cross river, but with an ai-
thorized ierryman.'
mo food or lodging shall be afforded to a
Quaker, Adamite, or other hereto
"Every male shall have his hair cut round
according to cap" &C., &c.
We find the following account of punish
ment inflicted for entertaining heretics on one
Deacon Potter, whom Cotton Mather says was
very guilty, and that he had fair legal and
candid trial. and was convicted on good and
scriptural evidence.
deacon Potter" says Mather, was hang
ed for Reresy and apostacy, which consisted in
showing hospitality to strangers who came to
his house in the night, among whom were Qua
kers, Anabaptists and Adamites." His wife
betrayed him for hiding the spies, and sending
them away in peace. There was also politi-
cal offence, the remedy for which is worthno
ing.
"No man shall hold Office who is not sound
in the faith, and faithful to this dominion and
| whatsoever gives vote to such a person shall
pay fine of one pound, for a second offence he
shall be DISTINGUISHED"
| The Rev. Geo. Whitfield, in one Of his ser.
mons, gives the people of Connecticut the fol-
| lowing character: "They are the wisest Of any
| upon the continent; the best friends, and the
| worst enemies; they are hair-brained blgots on
all sides, and they may be compared to horse
and mule without bit or bride. In other colo.
MES have paid for my food and lodging, but
never could spend one penny in fruitful Connec.
ticut; whose banks flow with milk and honey,
and whose sons and daughters never fail to feed
and refresh the weary traveller without money
and without price. On Saturday evenings, the
people look sour and sad, and on the Sabbath
| they appear to have lost their dearest friends,
and are almost speeches., and walk softly. A
Quaker preacher once told them, with much
truth that they worshiped the Sabbath, and not
the God of the Sabbath. Those hospitable peo
pie, without charity, condemned the Quaker as
a basphemer of the holy Sabbath, fined, tarred
| and feathered him, put a rope around his neck
and plunged him into the sea but he escaped
with his life, though he was above seventy years
ofage. "-E'rchange paper.