The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-08-20
The Blue Laws.

Many of our readers who have often
heard Of the Connecticut "blue laws"
have probably never had an opportunity
of perusing the celebrated code. The
territory now comprised in the state of
Connecticut was formerly two colonies,
Connecticut and New Haven. The col
ony of Connecticut was planted by emi
grants from Massachusetts, and Windsor
in 1888, and Hartford and Wethers6el1,
l635-36. The other colony, styled by
its founders the dominion of New Haven,
was founded by emigrauts from England
in 1888. The two colonies were united
in 1865. The statutes copied below, from
an ancient volume relating the history Of
the American colonies, were enacted by
the people Of the "dominion of New Ha-
ven," and being printed on blue paper
came to be known as blue laws
The governor and magistrates convened
in general assembly, are the supreme
power, under God, of this Independent
dominion.
From the determination of the ASSEM-
bly, no appeal shall be made.
The governor is amenable to the voice
of the people.
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 power and
jurisdiction above and over this domin.
ion, shall suffer death and loss of proper
ty.
Whoever attempts to change or over
turn the dominion shpl suffer death.
The judges shall determine no contro
versies without jury.
No one shall be freeman or give ,
vote unless he be converted and a mem
Der of one Of the churches allowed in tn,
dominion.
Each freeman shall swear by the bless
ed God to bear true allegiance to this do
miuion, and that Jesus is the only king
No Quaker, no dissenter from the es
tabished worship of this dominion, shal
be allowed to give vote for the electinl
of magistrates or any other officer.
No food or lodgings snail be offered t.
Quaker, Adamite or hereto.
If any persons turns Quaker he shal
be banshed and not suffered to return
but on pain of death.
No priest shall abide in the dominion
he shall be banishcd. and suffer death O.
his return.
Priests may be seized by any one with
out warrant.
No one to cross q river but an author
lied ierryman.
No one shall run on the Sabbath day
or walk in his garden, or elsewhere, eA
cept reverently to and from meeting.
| No one shall travel, cook victual
make beds, sweep house, cut hair c
shave on the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her children @
Sabbath or fasting day.
The Sabbath shall begin at sunset G
Saturday.
To pick an ear of corn growing in
neighbor's garden shall be deemed thef
A person accused Of trespass in Il
night shall be judged guilty, unless
clears himself by his oath.
When it appears that the accused h
confederates, and he refuses to dscov
them, he may be racked.
None shall buy or sell lands witho
permission Of the selectmen.
A drurkard shall have master u
, pointed by the selectmen, who are to b
him from the liberty of buying and Sc
ing.
Whoever publishes lie, to the pr
judice of his neighbor, shall be in I
stocks, or be whipped ten stripes.
No minister shall keep a school.
Every ratable person who refuses
pay his proportion to support the min
a ter of the town or parish, shall be fin
by court sid. and Ais. every quarter u
ii. he or she pay the rate to the min
ties.
Meu stealers shall suffer death.
u, Whosoever wears clothes trimmed vi
" gold, silver or bone lace above Is. !
5. yard, shall bo presented by the gra
Jurors, and the selectmen shall tax
= offender 9300 estate.
At A debtor in prison, swearing he !
g no estate, shall be let out aud sold
a. make satisfaction.
L. Whosoever sets fire in the woods, a
ne ne it burns house, shall suffer death a
Or persons suspected of this crime, shall
4 imprisoned without benefit of bail.
" Whosover brings cards or dice il
this dominion shall pay fine Of f5.
No one shall read common prayer-boo