Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-04-12
The Blue Laws.

From the Boston Courier.l
Many Of our readers, who have oftei
, heard OF the Connecticut "blue laws,
have probably never had an oppor.unit,
, of perusing that famous code. The ter
ritory now comprised in the State o
Connecticut was formerly two colonies
|, Connecticut and New Haven Th
colony of Connecticut was planted b,
emigrants from Massachusetts at Wind
sor, in 1888, and at Hartford and Weth
ersfeld in 1885 and 1886. The othe
colony, styled by its founders the Do
minion of New Haven, was settled by
emigrants from England in 1888. The
two colonies were united in 1865.
The statutes copied below from an an
cient volume relating to the history o
the people of the dominion of New
Haven:"
The governor and magistrates, con
vened in general assembly, are the su
preme power under God of this inde
pendent dominion.
From the determination Of the assem-
bly, no appeal shall be made.
The governor is amenable to the voice
of the people.
The governor shall have single 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
dismiss ITSELF
Conspiracy against this dominion shall
be punished with death.
Whosoever says there is a power and
jurisdiction above and over this domn.
ion, shall suffer death and loss of his
property.
Whoever attempts to change or over.
turn this dominion shall suffer death.
The judge shall determine eontrover-
sizes without jury.
No one shall be freeman or give vote
unless be be converted, and a member in
full communion Of one Of the churches
allowed in this dominion.
Each freeman shall swear by the
blessed God to bear true allegiance to
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 vote for the election
of magistrate or any officer. r7
No food or lodging shall be offered to
aquaker, Adamite, or other hereto.
If any person turns quaker, he shall
be banished and not suffered to return,
but on pain Of death. at rci-
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 warrantS MftIrE4#
No one to cross a river, but with an
authorized ferryman. b. 81
No one shall run on the Sabbath day,
or walk in his garden, or elsewhere, ex-
cept revently to and from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook yictuals,
make beds, sweep house, cut hair, or
shave on Sabbath day fsf rFn- i
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
neighbor's garden shall be deemed theft
A person accused of trespass in the
clear himself by his oath el
When it appears that an accused has
confederates, and 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 master APP
pointed by the selectmen, who are to de-
bar him from the liberty of buying and
selling. da a
Whoever publishes lie, to the preju- |
dice of his neighbor, shall be set in the
stocks, or be whipped ten stripes.
No minister shall keep school.
Every rateable person who refuses to
pay his proportion to support the minis
ter of the town or parish, shall be fined |
by the court 2 |. and Al. every quarter,
until he or she pay the rate to the minis
ter
Men-stealers shall suffer death.
Whoever wears clothes trimmed with
gold, silver or bone lace above Is. per
yard, shall be presented by the grand
jurors, and the selectmen shall tax the
800 !, estate.
A debtor in prison, swearing he has
no estate, shall be let out and sold to
make satisfaction.
Whosoever sets a fire in the woods,
and it burns a house, shall suffer DEATH
and persons suspected Of this crime
shall be imprisoned without benefit of
bail.
Whosoeyer brings cards or dice into
this dominion, shall pay a fine Of five
pounds.
No one shall read common prayer
books, keep Christmas on set days, eat
minced pies, dance, play cards, OF play
On any instrument Of music, except the
irum, trumpet and Jews harp.
No gospel minister shall join people
n marriage The magistrates only shall !
Join them in marriage, as they may do
{ with less scandal to Christ's church.
When parents refuse their children !
marriages the magistrates !
hall determine the point.
The selectmen, on finding children /
gnorant, may take them away from /
heir parents and put them in better
lands, at the expense Of their parents.
ForRication shall be punished by com I
,eliing marriage, or as the court shall 4
hink proper. II
Adultery shall be punished with death. {
"A man that strikes his wife shall pay I
tine Of ten pounds. 3
A woman that strikes her husband !