Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-04-24
A few of tho Ancient Blue Laws.

Of the "Blue Laws of Connecticut. which
we here insert. They may be curiosity
to many Of our readers. Planter's Adro
cate.
The Governor and Magistrates conven.
ed in general assembly, are the supreme
power, unde7 God, Of this Independent,
dominion. From the determination ol
the assembly, no appeal. shall be made.
Whoever says there is power and ju-
risdiction above, and over this domin-
ion, shall suffer death and loss of propeI-
ty.
The Governor is alhenable to the voice
of the people.
The Governor shall have single vote
i'll determining any question, except a
casting vote when the assembly shall BIZ
equally divided.
The assembly Of the people shall not be
dismissed by the Governor, but shall dis
miss itself.
Conspirators, attempting to change or
overthrow this dominion, shall safer
death.
The judge shall determine controversy,
without jury.
No one shall be freeman or give
vote, unless he be member in full CON-
munion with one Of the churches allowed
in this dominion.
No one should hold any Office who is
not found in tue faith, and faithful to his
denomination and whoever gives vote
for such person, shall pay fine OF twen-
ty sbillings for the first offence; and for
the second, he shall be DISTINGUISHED.
Each, freeman shall swear By the
blessed God. to bear true allegiance 10 this
dominion, and that Jesus is the only
KING.
No Quaker, or dissenter from the es
tablished worship Of this dominion, shall
be allowed to give a vote for the election
of magistrate or any other officer.
No lodging or food shall be offered to a
Quaker, Adamite, or other hereto.
Ii any person turns Quaker, he shall
be banished, and suffer death OH his re-
turn.
Priests may be seized by any person,
without warrant.
No one shall cross ferry but with an
authorized ferryman.
No one shall run on the Sabbath day,
or walk in the garden, or elsewhere,
except reyerently to and from meet
ing.
No person shall travel, cook vietuals,
make beds, sweep house, shave, or cut
hair, on the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her children on
the Sabbath, or Fasting day.
The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on
Saturday.
To pick san eas Of corn growing in a
neighbours garden shall be deemad theft.
A person accused with trespass in the
night, shall be judged guilty, unless he
clears himself by his oath.
When it appears that an accused has
confederates, aud refuses to disclose them,
he may be racked.
None shall buy or sell lands, wi!hou! the
permission of the selectmen.
A drunkard shall have a master appoin-
ted by the selectmen, who are to debar
him from the liberty of buying and sell
ling.
Whoever publishes lie to the preju-
dice Of his neighbor, shall sit in the stocks,
or be whipped fifteen stripes.
No minister shall keep school.
Whoever brings cards or dice into
this dominion, shall pay a fine OF five
pounds.
Every rateable person who refuses to
pay bis proportion to support the minis
ter Of the town or parish, shall be fined
by the court two pounds and four pounds
every quarter, until he or she shall pay
the rate to the ministers.
Men stealers shall suffer death.
Whoever wears clothes trimmed with
gold, silver, or bone lace, above two shil
lngs yard. shall be presented by the
grand jurors, and the selectmen shall tax
the offender at tn zee hundred pounds es-
tate.
A debtor in prison swearing that he
has no estate, shall be let out and sold to
satisfaction.
Whoever sets fire in the woods. and
burns house. shall suffer death and any
person suspected of this crime, shall
be imprisoned without the benefit Of
bail.
|. No one shall read common prayer. keep
Christmas or Saints day, make minced
pies, play cards, dance or play any instru
ment Of music, except the drum, trumpet
and Jews harp.
No minister shall join people in mar
rage-the magistrates only shall JON peo-
pie in marriage, as they may do it with
less scandal to Christ's Church.
When parents refuse their children a
convenient marriage, the magistrate is to
determine the point.
The selectmen. on finding children ig-
ncgant. saay take them away from their
parents and put them into better hands at
the expense Of their parents.
Fornication shall be punished by COM
pelling marriage, OF as the court shall
think proper.
Adultery shall be punished with death.
A man that strikes his wife shall pay a
fine Of ten pounds.
A woman that strikes husband shall be
punished as the court directs.
wife shall be deemed good evidence
against her husband.
No man shall court maid, in person or
by letter, without first obtainieg consent
OF her parents; G5 penalty for the first of-
fence, glO for the second; and for the
third, an Imprisonment during the plea
sure of the court.
Married persons must live together or