The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-06-04
The Blue Laws.

Courier. They were originally printed on
blue paper, on which account they were
called Blue Laws"
Many of our readers, who have often
heard of the Connecticut "blue laws"
have probably never had an opportunity of
perusing that famous code. The territory
now comprised in the State of Connecticu ut
was formerly two neutrality-suspicious.
and New Haven. The cOlsny Of Conuectl-
cut was planted by emigrants from Massa-
cbusetts mt WIndson, in l6S3 and at Hart
ford and Wethersfield in 1885 and 1896.
The other colony, styled by it's founders
the Dominion of New Haven, was settled
by emigrants from England in 1898. The
two colonies united in 1865.
The statutes copied below from an an :
cient volume relating to the history of the
American col0Dies,. were enacted by the
people of the Dominion of New Haven"
The governor and magistrates, convened
er under God of this independent domin-
ion.
From the determination of the assembly
no appeal shall be made.
The governor is amenable to the voice
of the people.
The governor shall have asingle vote in
determining any question, except a casting
vote, when the assembly shall be equally
divided.
The assembly of the people Shall not be
dismissed by the governor, but shall dis
mics itself.
Conspiracy against this dominion shall
be punished with death.
WhosOever says there ia q power and
jurisdiction above and over this dominion,
shall suffer death and loss of his property.
Whoever attempts to change or over
turn this dominion shall suffer death.
The judge shall determine controversies
without jury.
M oil ha n
unless he be coverted, and q member in
full communion of one of the churches al
lowed in this dominion.
Each freeman shall swear by the blessed
God to bear true allegiance to this domin-
iop. and that Jesus is the only king.
iished worship of this dominion, shall be
allowed to give vote for the el ection of
magistrate OF any officer.
No food or lodging shall be offered to a
quaker, Adamite, or other hereto.
If any person turns quaker, he shall
be oanished and not suffered to return, but
on pain of death.
No priest shall abide in the dominion; ;
he shall be banished and suffer death on
his return.
Priests may be seized by any one with
out a warrant.
No one to cross a river, but with an
authorized ferryman.
walk In his garden, or elsewhere, except
reverently to and from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victuals make
beds, sweep house, cut hair, or shave on
Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her children on the
Sabbath or fasting day.
The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on
Saturday.
To pick an ear of corn growing in q
neighbours garden shall be deemed theft.
A person accused of trespass in the
night, shall be judged guilty, unless he
clear himself by his OATH.
when 1t appears that an accused has
confederates, aud he refuses to discover
them, he may be racked.
No one shall buy or sell lands without
permission of the selectmen.
A drunkard shall have a master appoint
ed by the seectmen, who are to debar him
from the liberty of buying aud selling.
Whoever publishes lie, to the prejudice
OF his neighbor, shall be set in the stocks,
or be whipped tea strips.
No minister shall keep q school.
Every rateable person who refuses to
pay his proportion to support the minister
Ut the town or parish, shall be fined by
he OF she pay the rate to the minister.
Mea- stealers shall suffer death.
whoever wears clothes trimmed with
gold, silver or bone lace above 2s, per yard,
shati be presented by the grand jurors,
and the selectmen shall tax the offender
G30O estate.
A debtor in prison, swearing he has no
estate, shall be- let out and sold to make
| satisfaction.
Wsosoever sets q fire in the woods, and
it burns house, shall suffer death /; and
persons suspected of this crime shall BIZ
Imprisoned without benefit OF bail.
Whosoever brings cards or dice into the
dominion, shall pay a fine of five pounds.
No one shall read common prayer books,
keep Christmas on set days, eat mince pies,
dance, play cards, or play on any instrn-
ment of music. except the drum, trumpet
and Jews harp.
No gospel minister shall join people in
marriage. The magistrates only shall join
them in marriage, as they may do it with
less scandal to Clrist's church.
When parents refuse their children con-
venient marriages, the magistrates shall de-
termine the point.
The selectmen, on finding children ig-
| norant, may take them away from their
parents and put them into better hands, at
| the expense of their parents.
Fnruicafinn Lou he h~y