Evening star., 1932-10-08
SOLE COPY OF MARYLAND ACTS
OF 1692-17O0 TO BE EXHIBITED
Bar Association to See Aee-Yellowed
Volume Containing First Record of
So-Called Ancient Blue Laws.

marriage law apparently fell equally on
the bride and bridegroom. This law
reads, in part:
tending marriage shall apply themselves
either to a minister, pastor or magistrate
and shall make publication thereof
either at the church. chapel, city court
or meeting house next where they dwell
and that at such time when such
church. chapel, city court or meeting
house shall be full and thereby able to
take cognisanze thereof, and it shall and
may be lawful upon such certif1cation
Tor the minister, pastor or magistrate
three weeks after said publication to
join in marriage such persons aforesaid
and II any person shall presume without
such publication, or without a particular
license from the Governor for the time
being, privately contract marriage with
in the limits OF this province. every per-
son so contracted or married shall be
lyable to fine of 1000 pounds of to-
bacco, one-half Of such fine to our Lord
and Lady. the King and Queen and the
other hah to the informer." The clergy
man or magistrate who performed such
an illegal ceremony was subject to the
relatively enormous fine of 5000 pounds
of tobacco.
Sunday Regulations.
The Sunday regulations are contained
In IAN act for the sanctifying and keep
ing holy of the Lords day, commonly
called Sunday" 1t reads in part:
'Forasmuch as the sanctifying and
keeping holy Of the Lords day, COM
monty called Sunday, hath been and is
esteemed by the present and all the
primitive Christians and people to be a
principal part of the worship of Al
mighty God and the honor which is due
to His Holy Name be it enacted by the
Kings most excellent majesty that nc
person or persons whatsoever within
this province shall work or do any
bodily labor or occupation upon the
Lords day. commonly called Sunday
nor shall command or villfully suffer
his. her or their children. servants OF
slaves to do work as aforesaid. or tc
abuse or prophsne the Lords day as
aforesaid by drunkenness. swearing
gaming, fowling. fishing. hunting OF
other sports. recreations or pastimes
whatsoever, ana If any person or per-
sons shall offend in all or any of the
premises, he or they so offending shall
pay. for every offense the sum of 100
pounds of tobacco to the use of the poor
Of the parish where the said offender
or offenders do dwell and reside.
Law From the Pulpit.
BE it further enacted that the min
lister of each respective church OF
chapel of this province do by himself or
clark read four times year all penal
laws of this province made for punish
ment Of vice or penalty of 1000 pounds
Of tobacco.
BE it likewise enacted that no ordi-
nary keeper. or master or mistress Of a
family. either directly or indirectly. by
any color or pretense whatsoever, unless
in cases of absolute necessity shall OF
may upon the Lords day sell any strong
liquor whatsoever or knowingly or will
ingly suffer or permit in or about his
her or their house any tipling. drunken
ness. exercise or pastime whatsoever as
aforesaid, or being convicted thereof b.
two sufficient witnesses shall forfeit the
sum of 1000 pounds of tobacco"
Numerous other statutes refer to the
treatment of slaves. height of fences
dealings with the Indians and the
establishment Of various towns anc
counties.