St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-02-15
VERMONT Blue La WIS.

1t has been supposed that Connect
icut was the home Of the "blue la VS.,
but Vermont statute passed IN
February. 1779 upon the due obser'
walton and keeping the first day oil
the week as the Sabbath or Lords
day, and for furnishing disorders and
profaneness on the same" is as severe
in its provisions as any Of the enact
ments of the Nutmeg state. Here are
some of the provisions of the law:
Be it enacted, etc, that no tradesman,
artifcer, laborer or other person what
soever shall upon land or water do or
exercise any labor, business or work OF
their ordinary callings, or any kind
whatsoever works of necessity and
mercy only excepted) nor use any game,
sport, play or recreation on the Lords
day, or day OF public fasting and thanks
giving, on pain that every person so Of
tending and being convicted thereof be-
fore an assistant or justice of the peace,
shall for every such offense forfeit not ex-
ceedng d sum OF ten pounds as the
nature of the offense may require. That
whatsoever person shall be guilty OF any
rude, profane or unlawful behaviour on
the Lord s day, either in words or actions
by clamorous discourse, or by shouting,
haloing, screaming, running, riding,
dancing, jumping, blowing OF horns or
any such like rude or unlawful words
or actions in any house or place so near
to or in any public meeting house for
Divine worship, that those who meet
there may be disturbed by such rude and
profane behaviour, and being convicted
shall incur the penalty of forty shilings
for every such offense and be whipped on
the naked back not exceeding ten stripes,
nor less than five.
That no person shall drive a team or
droves of any kind or travel on said day
Except it be on business that concerns the
present war, or by some adversely they
are belated and forced to lodge in the
woods, wilderness .or highway the night
before; and in such case to travel no
further than the next inn or place of shell
ter on that day. upon penalty of forfeit
ing sum OF not exceeding ten pounds as
the nature of the offense may require.
Nor shall any person 60 from his or
her place of abode on the Lords day I'M
less to or from public worship of God,
attended, or to be attended upon by such
person, or unless it be upon some work
Of necessity or mercy, then to be done or
attended upon, on penalty of paying a
fine not exceeding five pounds for every
such offence
Nor shall any person or persons keep
Or stay at the outside OF the meeting
house, during the time of public worship,
there being convenient room in the
house, nor unnecessarily withdraw
themselves from the public worship to
go without doors, nor profane the time
by playing or profanely talking, on the
penalty ofpaying Misunderstanding three
pounds for every such offense, as the ma
-ure OF the offense may require.
That il any number of persons shall |
convene and meet together in company
Or companies in the street or elsewhere
)r the evening before or after the Lords |
lay and be thereof convicted, shall pay
4 fine not exceeding three pounds or sit |
n the stocks not exceeding two hours.
That the grand iuryman, tithing man
and constables OF each town shall care
ully inspect the behavior of all persons
IN the Sabbath or Lords day and due
presentment make of any PROCLAMATION of
the worship of God on the Lords day or
on any day of public fast or thanksgiv-
ing, and OF every breach of the Sabbath
Of bnI
discover any person to be guilty Otto
The next assistant or justice of the peace;
who is hereby empowered to proceed
therein according as the nature of the
case requires.
But if any children or servant not of
he age of discretion shall be convicted
of such proclamation or disturbance they
shall be.punished therefor by their par
'nts or guardians or masters giving
hem due correction, if the authorities so
appoint, and in no other way; and if
such parent. guardian or master shall |
'eluse or neglect to give due correction
hat every such person, guardian or mas
er shall incur the penalty OF ten shil-
ings.
And that no delinquent under this act
shall be allowed any repeal or review.
And all and every assistant and Justice
'i the peace, constable, grand juryman
md tithlng man are hereby required to
AXE effectual care and endeavor that this
'ct in all the particulars thereof be duly
observed; as also to restrain all persons |
rom unnecessary walking in the streets |
n fields, swimming in the water, keep.
ng open their shops, or following their
ocular occasions, or recree tons in the
vetnine preceding the Lords day or on
aid day or evening following.
This law was taken from the vol
lme, Vermont State Papers,"
which has recently been presented to
he AthenHum.