Middletown transcript., 1871-07-22
THB BLUE Laws.

Many of our readers who have often,
heard Of the Connecticut :. blue laws"
have probably never had an opportunity Of
perusng tha, famous code. The statutes
copied below from an ancient volume re-
la,ing to the history Of American colonies
were enacted by the people Of the DO
ninou Of New Haven"
The governor aud magistrates convened
in general assembly. are thu supreme pow
er under God, Of this Independent domin-
ion
From the determination Of the assembly
no appeal shall be made.
The Governor is amensble to the voice
Of the people.
The Governor shall have single vote
in determining any question and a casting
vote when the assembly shall bo equally
divided
Tho assembly Of the people shall not be
dismissed by the Governor but shalt dis
mis- itself
The judges shall determine controver-,
sizes without a jury
No Quaker or disscnter from the estab-
lished worship Of this dominion shall bs
allowed to give vote for the election Of
magistrates or any other officer.
II any person turn Quaker. he shalt BE-.
banishsd and not suffered to return on pain
Of death.
No priest shall abide in the dominion
he shall be banishcd, aud suffer death on
his return
Priests may be seizod by any one with
out warrant.
No one shall cross a river but with an
authorized ferrymnn
No ono shall run on the Sabbath day.
or walk in the garden or elsewhere ex-
cept revcrently to aud from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victuals, make
beds, sweep houses, cut hair, or shave on
the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her children on
the Sabbath or fasting day.
The Sabbath shall begin at sunset an
Saturday
To pick up an ear Of corn growing in .
neigL Lbors garden shall DO deemed theft.
a person accused Of trcspass in tho night
shall bc judged guilty, unless he clcay
himself by his oath.
When it appears that an accused has
them, he may be rncked.
None shall buy or sell lands withou,
permission Of the selectman.
4 drunkari shall have master ap-
pointed by the selectman, who are to do
bar him from the liberty Of buying aud
selling.
Whoever shall publish lie, to the pre-
julice Of his ncichbors shall be set in tho
stocks or be whipped ten stripes.
No minister shall keep II school
Every rateablc person who refuses "a
pay his proportion to support the minister
of the town or parish, shall be fined by
the court IS III aud is ID every quarter,
until he or she pay the rate to the minis.
ter.
Whoever wears clothes trimmed with
gold, silver or bone lace above 3s per yard
shall be presented by thu grand Jurors.
AMI the srlcclulan shall tax the offender
tarua estate,
\ debtor in prison swearing he has no
estate, shah bu 1T cut and sold to mako
sat t.tlctiln
Nho,ocvtr sets FIRE in the woods and
il barns house. shall su.ftr dcalh and
i | I-'t41 SAsItNAsi u tNl- Vlllic HHaii Uc
imrr.5n / without benefit of bail
Whoever brings cards or dice into ihia
dominion shall pay iinc Of five pounds.
No ano shall read common prayer books,
keep Christmas, or set day. eat minced
pies, dance. llly cards, or play on any in
s,fum ut of music, csccp; the drum, trum-
pet aud je"shafp
When paront, refuse their children con
yeuicut marriages, the magistrates shall
determine the ppint
The selcetman on iuling children igno-
rant, may take them away from their pa
regts aul put them in better hands ut the
expense Of thcir parents.
Adultery shall be punished with death
1 \ man that strikes his wife shall pay =
fine Of ten pounds
\ woman that strikes her husband shall
be punished as the court directs.
\ wife shall be deemed good cyidcnce
against her husband.
No man shall court a maid in person sr
by letter, without first ob,aing the consent
of her parents; ye5 penalty for the 6rst
offence. clio for the second, and fr the
third Imprisonment during the pleasure Of
/ the court
Married persons must live together oe
be imprisoned
Every male shall have his bair cut round
according to cap.
NorE-The above laws were originally
priit ID on blue paper, on which account
they were called the Blue Laws"