LAWS 
 
 TASSED IN THE 
 
 TERRITORY 
 
 OF THS 
 
 UNITED STATES 
 
 NORTH-VTEST 
 
 OF THE 
 
 RIVER OHIO, 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 COMMENCEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT 
 
 TO THE 
 
 3lft. OF DECEMBER, 
 
 PUIL^D ELPHIA 
 BY ?KAKCIS CKitPS AND JOHN 
 
x 
 
 A COPY of Laws paffed in the Terri 
 tory of the United States North-Weft of the 
 River Ohio, from July to December, 1792, 
 inclufive. 
 
 WINTHROP SARGENT. 
 
 7be PRESIDENT if iht United States. 
 
 
COPIES of the Laws which have been adopted 
 and publifhcd in the Territory of the United 
 States north-weft of the River Ohio, from 
 the commencement of Government to the 
 day of December, inciufive made out 
 om the original Records in the Secretary s 
 Office, and to be tranfmitted to the Secreta 
 ry of Congrefs, agreeably to the Ordinance 
 of the thirteenth of July, one thoufand fevea 
 hundred and eighty-feven. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 A LA W for regulating and eftabtifl ing the Mu ITIA m 
 the Territory of- the United States north-weft of the river 
 Ohio, pubtijhtaat the city of Marietta upon the twenty fifth 
 day of July, in the thirteenth year oj- the Inde ben dense of 
 the United States, and of our Lsrrd one thoufana jtven hun 
 dred and eighty eighf, by his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, 
 Efquire,, Govcrnour and Commander in Chief ^ and by tJie 
 Honourable Samuel Holden Paribns and James Mitt 
 chell Varnam, Effiarcs t Judges. 
 
 LL male inhabitants between the ae of AH male in. 
 
 A 
 
 fixteen and fifty, (hall be liable to and 
 perform military duty, and be formed into 
 corps in the following manner. 
 
 Sixty four rank and file mall form a com- toow . to ** 
 pany. Eight companies mall form a battalion. orgamz<x * * 
 Two battalions fhall form a regiment. 
 
 There fhall be appointed to each company, 
 one captain, one lieutenant, one enfign, four 
 ferjeants, four .corporals, one drummer and one 
 fifer. To a battalion there fhall be appointed,^ 
 one lieutenant colonel, one major, and one 
 adjutant. To a regiment one colonel. 
 
 The corps fhall be divided into fenior and to fee claff. 
 junior clafles. cd| 
 
 And whereas in thp infant ftate of a country, 
 defence and protection arcabfolutely efTcntial, 
 B 
 
 285001 
 

 C 4 ) 
 
 all male inhabitants of the age of fixteen and 
 upwards, fhall be armed, equipped and accou 
 tred in the following manner j 
 
 how to tw With a mufket and bayonet, or rifle, car- 
 
 otred tridge box and pouch, or powder horn andbul- 
 
 kt pouch, wi*h forty rounds of cartridges, or 
 
 one pound of powder and four pounds of lead, 
 
 priming \vire and brufh and fix flints. 
 
 and when ^nd. whereas for fecunng the principles of 
 ; defence and protection, it is neceffary to beaf- 
 fembled upon certain times, and at certain pla 
 ces, for examining and infnecting the arms and 
 accoutrements, and for disciplining the men in 
 a foldierly manner : And whereas the afTem- 
 bling of the members or community at fixed 
 periods, conduces to health, civilization, and 
 morality ; and fuch afTembling without arms 
 In a nearly fettled country, may be attended with 
 danger ; Therefore the corps fhall be paraded 
 at ten o clock in the morning of each firft day 
 of the week, armed, equipped, and accoutred 
 as aforefaid, in convenient places next adjacent 
 to the place or places already affigned, or to 
 be affigned for public worfhip : a! other times 
 and places, the corps fhall be paraded for muf- 
 ter, exercife, and review as the commander in 
 chief may direct. And whereas in the prefent 
 ftate of the territory it is neceffary that guards 
 be eltabliflied ; the commander in chief, and 
 the commanding officers of counties, and of 
 fmaller diftricts fhall make fuch detachments 
 for guards and ether military duty as the pub 
 lic exigencies may in his, or their opinion re* 
 quire. 
 
 Thofe who have born commiflions, civil or 
 military, in the fervice of the United States, 
 or either of them, and who have been honor 
 ably difcharged therefrom, and all fuch as have 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 been graduated in colleges or univerfities, fhall how to. bo 
 compofe the fenior clafs. Males above the age cjafl * d 
 of fifty fhall be liable to military duty iii cafes 
 of actual invafion only, and then at the direc 
 tion, of the commander in chief. Officers of exemptions, 
 civil government appointed by Congrefs or 
 commiflioned by the Governour are exempted 
 from the duties aforefaid. 
 
 If any male inhabitant mall neglect or refufe ,,. f 
 
 Y. r i ii r Fine or ne 
 
 to appear at the fixed times and places of pa- gie&ing the 
 rade by this law eftablifhed, he fhall be fined 
 in the fum of twenty five cents, unlefs he mall 
 render an excufe to the fatisfaction of the com 
 manding officer of his corps. If any male as 
 aforefaid fhall neglect or refufe to appear at fuch 
 time and place as the commander in chief mall 
 fpecially direct, for mufler, review, and exer- 
 cife, he fhall be fined in the fum of fifty cents, 
 unlefs excufed as aforefaid. 
 
 If any male as aforefaid fhall neglect or re 
 fufe to appear upon the order of the comman 
 der in chief, or other officers as aforefaid, for 
 guards or other ordinary .military duty,or refufe 
 to perform the fame, he fhall be fined in the fum 
 of one hundred cents which offences fhall be pines how- 
 heard and determined by the officers of the to . bcdetw> * 
 company to which the offender may belong, 
 and upon conviction, a warrant of diitrefs fhall 
 iflue from the commander of fuch company, di 
 rected to either of the ferjeants of the fame, 
 requiring him to collect the fines aforefaid, and 
 pay the fame into the treafury of the town, ci 
 ty or county wherein the conviction fhall have 
 taken place, withhi twenty days next after iflu- 
 ing fuch warrant. For the fecond, and all fuc- 
 ceeding offences in the cafes before mentioned, 
 the perfons charged with having committed the 
 fame, fhall be heard, tried and fentenced by 
 courts-martial* 
 
On negieA If any male inhabitant as aforefaid, fliall ne- 
 of duty in gleet or refufe to appear and perform his duty 
 
 cafe of in & i r i i i X 
 
 Tafion, &c. under the orders or the commander in chief, 
 againfl an enemy invading the territory, or mail 
 refufe, difobey or neglecl: the orders given by 
 hi& officers, or any of them, in time of action, 
 he mail be deemed guilty of cowardice and de- 
 fertion, and be heard, tried, and Sentenced by 
 a court-martial. 
 
 Dutyofoffi- All officers mail be attentive to the forming, 
 **" difciplining, parading, and commanding their 
 refpedlive corps, and to. fuch other duties as 
 mall refpectively bind them by this law, and 
 by the orders from time to time to be given by 
 the commander in chief. 
 
 how to be If any officer mall be guilty of a breach of 
 tried on ne- this law, or in any refpeft violate, or neglecl: 
 S : - his duty, he mail be heard, tried, and fentenced 
 
 by a court-martial. 
 Court-mar- A court-martial mail confifl of not more than 
 
 tn ^ rteen members, nor lefs than five, whereof 
 
 one at leaft fhall have rank fuperior to that of 
 
 a captain. 
 
 by whom A court -martial mail be appointed by the 
 appointed* commander in chief, or the commanding offi- 
 
 fentences r 11- 11 
 
 approved. cers * a regiment or battalion ; but the com 
 mander in chief only fhall hare the power of 
 approving and carrying into effeft fentences of 
 courts-martial, whereby the punifhment fhall 
 be capital, or an officer cafhiered. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR. 
 SAML., H. PARSONS. 
 F. M. VARNUM. 
 
( 7 J 
 CHAPTER H. 
 
 JL LAW for cjlablijhing General Courts of Quarter Sef- 
 JLons of the Peace (and therein of the powers of fingle 
 7uftir.es J, and for eftablijhing County Courts of Common 
 Pkas> (and therein of the power of finale Judges to hear 
 and determine upon fmall debts and contracts}, and aljo 
 a Law for eftablifhing the OJjice of Sheriff, and for th* 
 appointment of Sheriffs. ^ Publifhed at the city of Mari 
 etta, in the county of Wajhington and Territory of the 
 United States north-weft of the river Ohio, by his Excel 
 lency Arthur St. Clair, Efquire, Governour and Com 
 mander irijChief, and Samuel HoldenParfons and James 
 Mitchell Varnum, Efquires, Judges, upon the twenty 
 third day of Auguft, in the thirteenth year of the Inde 
 pendence of the United States, and in the year of our Lord 
 one thoufandfeven hundred and eighty eight. 
 
 THERE fhall be a court in each county county 
 flyled the General Quarter Seffioris of the courts tf 
 Peace, holden and kept Tour times in every feLns, 
 year in each county. 
 
 That for the county of Washington (hall be where and 
 holden and kept at the city of Marietta, upon wheo to be 
 the fecond Tuefdays of March, June, Septem- holden 
 ber, and December. And there (hall be a 
 competent number of juftices of the peace in 
 every of the counties, appointed and comimT- 
 fioned by the governour under the feal of the 
 territory, which juftices, or any three of them, 
 one at leaft being of the quorum, fhall and 
 may hold the general feffions of the peace ac 
 cording to law. 
 
 Not lefs than three, nor more than five of Number of 
 the faid juftices, in each county, fhall be fpe- juftice* to 
 cially named in a general commiffion for hold- 
 ing the faid courts of quarter feffions of the 
 peace. 
 
 The juftices, or any three of them, one be- Spccia i 
 ing of the quorum as aforefaid, may hold fpe- 
 cial feffions when, and as often as occafion may 
 require. 
 
 And theTaid juftices; and each and every 
 "iiem, fhall have power and authority in and 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 rower oi out of feflions, to take all manner of recogm- 
 ihe juftkcs. Z ances, with or without furety, for good be 
 haviour, to keep the peace, or for appearance 
 at a fuperior judicatory, whether to the quar 
 ter feflions, if out of the time of feflions, or 
 to the general court of the territory, as the 
 cafe may be, to anfwer to charges exhibited, 
 or crimes committed in. the view of fuch juf- 
 tices, or any of them, and whereof they have 
 not competent power to hear and -determine. 
 And in cafe any perfon or perfons fhall fefufe 
 to enter into recognifance as aforefaid, and to 
 find furety when thereunto required, it mall 
 and may be lawful for fuch juftice or juftices, 
 in or out of feflions as aforefaid, to commit the 
 perfon or perfons fo refuling to gaol, there to 
 remain until he or they mail comply with the 
 order of fuch juflice or juftices. 
 
 All recognifances for the peace, good beha- 
 v * our > or appearance at the feflions, which* fhall 
 C< be taken by any of the juftices out of feflions, 
 fhall be certified into their faid general feflions 
 of the peace, to be holden next after the taking 
 thereof ; arid every recqgnifance taken in or 
 out of feflions for fufpicion of any manner of 
 crime not try able in faid court of quarter fef- 
 fions of the peace, fhall be certified before the 
 general court of the territory at their next 
 fucceeding term, or before a court of oyer and 
 terminer and gaol delivery for the county, 
 to be holden next after the taking thereof, 
 without concealing, detaining, or embezzling 
 proceedings the fame. And in cafe any perfon or petfons 
 ftal1 forfe ^ his or their recognifances of the 
 . peace, goocl behaviour, or appearance* the re 
 cognifances fo forfeited, with the record of 
 default, or caufe of forfeiture, fhall be fent and 
 certified without delay, by the juftice or juftices 
 of the peace, into the quarter feflions, if taken 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 out of the feflions and returnable to the fame , 
 
 or into the general court of the territory, as on forfeiture 
 
 the cafe may be, whether taken in or out of j n ^ cognu 
 
 feffions ; that in either cafe procefs may ifiue 
 
 according to law. All which forfeitures 
 
 mall be levied by the proper officers, and paid Forfeiture* 
 
 to the clerks of the refpeftive courts, to be 1 J * d 
 
 paid by them into the public treafuries ; that is 
 
 to fay, by the clerk of the quarter feffions, into 
 
 the treafury of the county, and by the clerk 
 
 of the general court into the general treafury 
 
 of the territory. 
 
 One or more juftices of the peace mall and juftices out 
 may, out of feflions, hear and determine ac- ef fc u ffion * 
 
 / * r r i i ma y hear & 
 
 cording to the courfe or the common law, petit determine 
 crimes and mifdemeanours, wherein the punifh- P etit crime * 
 ment mail be by fine only, and not exceeding 
 three dollars, and to affefs and tax cofts. And thelr pow . 
 in cafe any perfon or perfons mall refufe to er on refu. 
 obey, fulfil, and perform the fentence or fen- [heiTde^ 
 tences- given againft him or them by the juf- minationg 
 tice or juflices herein, it mail and may be law- herein * c - 
 ful for fuch juftice or juftices to commit the 
 delinquent or delinquents to gaol, there to re- 
 main until fentence be performed. And it 
 fhall be lawful for fuch juftice or juftices when 
 ever the crime mail be committed in his or 
 their prefence or view, to fentence as aforefaid, 
 without further examination : and which fines Fines tobe > 
 {hall be by fuch juftice or juftices paid to the paid to the 
 clerk of the court of quarter feffions, and by 
 him paid into the county treafury. All war 
 rants iflued by a juftice or iuftices out of feffions 
 
 . . r J i ,. J - . iflued out 
 
 either for apprehending, fecurmg or commit- O f feffions 
 ting to gaol, perfons fufpedted, or convicted how to ^ 
 of crimes (hall be under the hand and feal of attc e 
 fuch juftice or juftices, and directed to an of 
 ficer or officers, whofe duty it fhall be to exe- 
 
C 10 ) 
 
 cute criminal procefs ; and fuch officer or of 
 ficers fhall obey the warrant or warrants iffued 
 as aforefaid. 
 
 The courts of general quarter feffions of the 
 
 Power of n 11 i i i t r 
 
 the courts peace ihall and may hear, dctei mine and fen- 
 of quarter tence, according to the courfe of the common 
 >D8t law, all crimes and mifdemeanours, of what- 
 eyer nature or kind, committed within their 
 refpe&ive counties the punifhment whereof 
 doth not extend to life,, limb, imprifonment for 
 more than one year, or forfeiture of goods and 
 chattels, or lands and tenements to the govern 
 ment of the territory. 
 
 And that perfons indifted or outlawed in 
 one county 5 whodwelI 3 remove,or are received 
 into another county may be brought to juflice, 
 the faid courts of general quarter, feffions of 
 the peace, fhall and may dired their writs or 
 precepts under the feal of the courts, and fign- 
 ed by the clerks refpe&ively, to all or any of 
 the fheriffs, or other officers impowered by 
 law to execute criminal procefs in each or any 
 of the counties within the territory as the cafe 
 may be, requiring to take and bring before faid 
 court, fuch perfons indi&ed or outlawed as 
 aforefaid. And the faid court of quarter fef 
 fions fhall and may iflue fubpoznas, and other 
 warrants, under the feal of the court, and fign- 
 ed by the clerk, into any county or place in 
 the territory, for fummoning or bringing any 
 perfon to give evidence in and upon any mat 
 ter or caufe, examinable or tryable before fuch 
 court, under fuch pains and penalties as fub- 
 pcenas or warrants of that kind, are by law 
 granted and awarded. And a juflice or juftices 
 out of feffions, may in like manner, and under 
 fjmilar penalties, grant fubpcenas, and other 
 warrants, to any place or places within their 
 refpeftive counties. 
 
County Courts of Common Pleas. 
 
 A number of fuitable perfons, not exceed 
 ing five, nor lefs than three (hall be appointed 
 in each county, and commiflioned by the go- common 
 vernor under the feal of the territory, to hold P lca *. ho * 
 
 r . r t t rt i t i conuitutedi 
 
 and keep a court of record, to be ityled, the 
 County Court of Common Pleas : which courts when hoi. 
 fhall be holden at two fixed periods in every dcn 
 year, and in each county refpe&ively, at the 
 places where the general courts of quarter fef- 
 iions of the peace, fhall be kept. That for the 
 county of Wafhington mail be holden upon 
 the third Tuefdays of March, and firft Tuef- 
 days of September. 
 
 The judges fo appointed and commiflioned, the power. 
 or a majority of them fhall hold pleas of aflizes, 
 fcire facias, replevins, and hear and determine 
 all manner of pleas, actions, fuits, and caufes 
 of a civil nature, real, perfonal and mixed, ac 
 cording to the constitution and laws of the 
 territory. 
 
 The faid court fhall and are hereby empow 
 ered to grant under their feal, and figned by 
 their clerk, replevins, writs of partition, writs 
 of view, and all other writs and procefs upon 
 pleas and actions cognizable therein, as the 
 cafe may require. 
 
 The court fhall and may ifiue fubpcenas un 
 der their feal, and figned by their clerk for 
 the fame purpofes, in the manner, and under 
 limilar penalties, as the courts of general quar 
 ter feffions of the peace are empowered to iflue 
 the fame. And for the more fpeedy recovery 
 of fmall debts and demands contracted within 
 the territory ; it fhall and may be lawful for 
 one or more of the judges of the court of com 
 mon pleas, in their refpeftive counties, to hear 
 and determine, all debts and demands, contrac- 
 C 
 
C 12 ) 
 
 Power of te d as aforefaid, whether upon bond, bill, note, 
 the county book account, or affumpfit in fad or law, 
 wherein the fum demanded {hall not exceed 
 five dollars. And fuch judge or judges ihall 
 iffue execution under his or their hands and 
 feals directed to the fheriff, or other proper of 
 ficer, for executing the judgment fo given, 
 returnable in thirty days from the teft thereof. 
 
 Sheriffs. 
 
 sheriffs in There mall be appointed and commiffioned 
 
 each county by the governour, in each county of the terri- 
 
 odgive tor y> a Sheriff, who mail take the oaths of alle- 
 
 bond , giance to the United States, and of office, and 
 
 mall give bond with two fufficient fureties, in 
 
 the penal fum of four ^houfand dollars, for 
 
 the faithful difcharge of the duties of his office. 
 
 . dutieg The duties of each fheriff mail be, to keep 
 the peace, by caufing all offenders againft law, 
 in his view, to enter into recognifances, with 
 fureties, for keeping the peace and appearing 
 at the next general quarter feffions in the fame 
 county, and to commit in cafe of refufal ; and 
 which recognifances ihall by the faid . fheriff 
 be returned, and certified before the faid quar 
 ter feffions It fhall alfo be his duty to quell 
 and fupprefs all affrays, routs, riots, and infur- 
 re&ions ; and for which end he mail, and is 
 hereby empowered, to call to his aid the power 
 of the county. He fhall purfue, apprehend 
 and commit to gaol, all felons and traitors ; 
 he fhall execute all warrants, writs and other 
 procefs, which by law fhall appertain to the 
 duties of his office, and which mail be directed 
 to him by legal authority. He fhall duly at 
 tend upon all courts of record, at their refpec- 
 .tive terms or feffions, in his county. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR, 
 SAML. H. PARSONS, 
 JAMES M. VARNUM. 
 
C 13 ) 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 A L A W iftabtifaing a Court of Probate, publijhed in, the 
 Territory of the United States north- weft of the river Ohio^ 
 by his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, Efquire, Governour, 
 and the Honourable Samuel HoldeaParlons, James Mit 
 chell Varnum, and John Cleves Symmes, Efquires, 
 Judges, at the city of Marietta,, the thirtieth day of Au- 
 guft, in the thirteenth year of the Independence of the Uni 
 ted -States, Anno Dbmini one thoufandfiven hundred and 
 eighty eight. 
 
 THERE fhall be appointed one judge of judges of 
 probate in each county, whofe duty it P r J ate m 
 
 n. 11 i_ i i r r / n in ach county 
 
 inall be to take the proof or lalt wills and telta- their duty j 
 ments and to grant letters teftamentary and 
 letters of adminiftration and to do and perform 
 every matter and thing that doth, or by law 
 may appertain to the probate office, excepting 
 the rendering definitive fentence and final de 
 crees. 
 
 The judge (hall hold four feflions in each and to hold four 
 every year, and may adjourn from time to time, ^ ona J" 
 or appoint a fpecial feflions, and at fuch place &c. 
 in the county as he may deem expedient, when 
 ever the circumftances of the people may re 
 quire it. The feflions for the county of Warn- 
 ington fhall be holden at the city of Marietta 
 upon the firft Monday of January, April, Au- 
 guft, and Oftober annually. In all cafes 
 wherein it fhall be neceflary to render a defini 
 tive fentence, or to render a final decree, and Sentences 
 upon a point contefted, the judge fhall calLto how rcn - 
 his affiftance, two of the juftices of the court of 6red 
 common pleas of the fame county ; who, to 
 gether with the judge fhall conftitute the court 
 of probate ; a majority of whom fhall have 
 power to render final fentences and decrees in 
 all matters cognizable before faid court ; Pro 
 vided however, that from every definitive fen 
 tence, and from every final decree, rendered by 
 the court, there may be an appeal to the gene- 
 
ral court of the territory, the appellant giving 
 bbnd with two fufficient fureties, to profecute 
 his appeal with effect, which appeal mall be en 
 tered upon the fecond day of the term of the 
 court appealed to, and next holden for the 
 county in which the appeal was taken. 
 judge to The judge, previoufly to his entering upon 
 
 take oath; the dut j es of h j s offic ^ ^jj be fwor ^ before 
 
 the governour, to a true and faithful difcharge 
 thereof. 
 
 to record The judge (hall record laft wills and tefta-] 
 Uft wills, men ts, and make entries of the granting of let- 
 ters teftamentary, and letters of adminiftrationt 
 he fhall receive, put on file, and carefully pre- 
 ferve all bonds, inventories, accounts, and other 
 documents, neceflary to be perpetuated in his 
 office. 
 
 Bonds to All bonds that by this law are, or by law 
 whomtobe fh a li be directed to be given in the court of 
 probate, or probate office, fhall be made to the, 
 judge, and fhall be in truft, to and for the ufe 
 of all perfons concerned, or having intereft 
 therein : And the benefit thereof, fhall be* ex 
 tended from time to time, to and for the re 
 lief of the party injured. 
 
 judges to The judge fhall deliver a certified copy of 
 t!fied er co Cr ~ an y b n d taken by him as aforefaid, to any per- 
 of bondon fon interefted, and requefting the fame, and he 
 fl^n a }f o produce the original bond in court, 
 upon any trial that fhall be had for the breach 
 of the conditions thereof, whenever required 
 by fuch court, and upon refufal, or delay herein, 
 the judge fhall forfeit and pay to the party in 
 jured treble damages. And there fljall be ap 
 pointed a clerk of faid court of probate who 
 lhall be fworn to a faithful difcharge of the du 
 ties of his office, before he enters into the ex 
 ecution thereof j and the clerk fhali record all 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 fentences and decrees of the court of probate, 
 and make entries and records of all matters 
 proper to be entered and recorded in his office 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR. 
 SAML. H. PARSONS. 
 J. M. VARNUM. 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A L A W forjixing the Terms of the General Court of tht 
 Territory of the l/nited States north-weft of the river Ohio, 
 publijhed by his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, Efqr* 
 Governour, and Samuel Holden Parfons, James Mit 
 chell Varnum, and John Cleyes Symmes, Efquires, 
 Judges, at the city of Marietta, the thirtieth day of Au- 
 guft, in the thirteenth year of the Independence of the Uni 
 ted States, and of our Lord one thoufand Jeven hundred 
 and eighty tight, 
 
 THE general court for the territory of the Gen. coo* 
 United States northweft of the river p ea civil 
 Ohio,fliall hold pleas, civil and criminal, at four and cr 
 certain periods or terms in each and every year n * &c * 
 in fuch counties as the judges mall from time to 
 time deem moft conducive to the general good, 
 they giving timely notice of the place of their fit 
 ting; that is to fay, Upon the firftMonday of Fe 
 bruary, May,Odober and December. Provided 
 however, That but one term be holden in any 
 one county in a year; and that all procefices, civil 
 and criminal, mall be returnable to faid court 
 wherefoever they may be in faid territory. And 
 as circumftances may fo intervene as to prevent 
 a feffions of the court at the time and place adjourn,&c t 
 fixed upon, it mall and may be lawful for the 
 court, to adjourn from time to time, by writ di- 
 refted to the fheriff of the county ; and to con 
 tinue all procefs accordingly : And in cafe 
 neither of the judges (hall attend at the time 
 
and place aforefaid, and no writ be received 
 by the fheriff, it fhall be his duty to adjourn 
 the court from day to day, during the firft fix 
 days of the term ; and then to the next term ; 
 to which all procefles fliall be continued as a- 
 forefaid. Provided however, That all iflues in 
 fad fhall be tried in the county where the 
 caufe of adion fhali have arifen. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR. 
 SAML. H. PARSONS. 
 J. M. VARNUM. 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A L A W ref peeling Oaths of Ofce, publijhed by his Ex 
 cellency Arthur St. Clair,/ quire, Governou- of the 7>r- 
 ritory of the United States north-weft of the river Ohio, 
 and by the Honourable Samuel Holden Parfons, and 
 James Mitchell Varnum, EJ quires. Judges, at the city 
 of Marietta,, in the Territory aforefaid, upon the Jecond 
 day of September, in the thirteenth year of the Independence 
 of thefaid United States, and of our Lord one thoufand 
 feven hundred and eighty eight* 
 
 1? VERY P erfon appointed to any civil office 
 d to civil r^i in the territory, and commiflioned by 
 toke^ h ^ governour, fhall previoufly to his entering 
 upon the exercife of his office, take the follow 
 er ing oath, viz. I, A B, being appointed to the 
 office of do folemnly fwear, 
 
 that I will well and truly execute the duties of 
 my faid office, according to the befl of my fkill 
 and underftanding, without fraud or partiality. 
 So help me God. 
 
 Any perfon appointed as aforefaid, confci- 
 affirmation, ent j ou fly f cru p u i ous o f taking an oath, fhall 
 
 make the following affirmation, previoufly to 
 entering upon the duties of his office, viz. I, 
 A B, being appointed to the office of 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 da folemnly, fincerely and truly declare and 
 affirm, that I will well and truly execute the 
 duties of my faid office, according to the beft 
 of my (kill and underftanding, without fraud 
 or partiality : And this I declare and affirm 
 under the pains and penalties of perjury. 
 
 And that all oaths of office, or declarations b e f ore 
 and affirmations prefcribed as aforefaid, .mail governor. 
 be taken before the governour, or fuch perfon 
 or perfons as mall by him be appointed and 
 commiffioned for that purpofe, and certified 
 upon the commiffion of the perfon taking s the 
 fame. And in cafe of the abfence of the go 
 vernour, the faid oath, or declaration and affir 
 mation may be taken before, and certified by 
 either of the judges of the territory. 
 
 AR. ST. GLAIR. 
 SAML. H. PARSONS-. 
 JAMES M. VARNUM. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A L A W refpefling Crimes and Punijhments, publijhedby 
 his Excellency Arthur St. Cl*ir,Efquire, Governour, and 
 the Honourable Samuel HoldenParfons,and James Mit 
 chell Varnum, Ef quires, Judges oj the Territory of 
 the United States north- weft of the river Ohio, at the city 
 of Marietta, thefixth day of September, in the thirteenth 
 year of the. Independence of the United States, and of our 
 Lord one thoufandfeven hundred and eighty eight. 
 
 Treafon. 
 
 IF any perfon belonging to,^ refiding in, or What of- 
 prote&ed by the laws of this territory, (hall fences 
 levy war againft the Usiited States, or againfl 
 this territory, or mail knowingly and wilfully 
 aid or aflift any enemies at war againft the Uni 
 ted States, or this territory, by joining the ar- 
 
( 18 ) 
 
 be deemed * e * or fleets offuch enemies, or by inlifting^ 
 persuading or procuring others to join faid 
 fleets or armies, or by furnifhing fuch enemies 
 with arms, or ammunition, or proviiions, or any 
 ether articles for their aid or comfort, or by 
 carrying on a trealbnable and treacherous cor- 
 refpondence with them, or (hall form, or be 
 
 treasonable* any way concerned in forming any combina 
 tion, plot or confpiracy for betraying the Uni 
 ted States, or this territory into the hands or 
 power of any foreign enemy, or fhall give or 
 attempt to give or fend any intelligence to any 
 fuch enemy for faid purpofe, the perfon or 
 perfons fo offending fhall be deemed guilty of 
 treafon and upon conviction thereof fhall 
 fuffer the pains of death, and fhall moreover 
 forfeit all his, her or their eftate, real and per- 
 fonal, to this territory. 
 
 Murder. 
 
 Murder. If any perfon or perfons fhall with malice 
 aforethought, kill or flay another perfon, b<s, 
 fhe, or they fo offending, fhall be deemed guilty 
 of murder, and upon conviction thereof fhall 
 fuffer the pains of death. 
 
 Man/laughter. 
 
 If any perfon or perions fhall wilfully kill 
 or flay another perfon without malice afore 
 thought, he, fhe, or they fo offending fhall be 
 deemed guilty of manflaughter, and upon con 
 viction thereof, fhall be punifhed as at the com 
 mon law hath heretofore been ufed and accuf- 
 tomed. Provided neverthelefs, That if any 
 perfon in the juft and neceffary defence of his 
 own life, or the life of any other perfon, fhall 
 kill or flay another perfon attempting to rob or 
 murder in the field or highway, or to break 
 into a dwelling houfe, if he cannot with fafety 
 to himfelf otherwife take the felon or aflailant, 
 
or bring him to juftice, he (halite h olden. guilt- 
 lefs. 
 
 Atfin. 
 
 If any perfon or perfons mall wilfully and Arfon.what 
 malicioufly burn or caufe to be burnt, or fhall 
 be wilfully and malicioufly aiding and aflifting 
 in burning any dwelling-houfe or other build 
 ing thereunto adjoining, he, (he, or they fo of- Uow pa- 
 fending fhall be deemed guilty of arfon, and niflled 
 upon conviction thereof, (hall be whipped, not 
 exceeding thirty-nine flripes, put in the pillory 
 and there be continued not exceeding the fpace 
 of two hours, confined in gaol not exceeding 
 the fpace of three years, and forfeit all his, her 
 or their eftate, real and perfonal, to this terri 
 tory ; out of wnich eftate, if fufficient, (hall be 
 paid to the party injured his full damages. 
 Ancl in cafe death fhould enfue from fuch burn 
 ing, the offender or offenders upon conviction 
 thereof, fhall fuffer the pains of death. 
 
 Burglary. 
 
 If any perfon or perfons fhall in the night 
 feafon break open and enter any dwelling-houfe, 
 fhop, fibre or veflel in which any perfon or 
 perfons dwell, or refide, with a view and inten 
 tion of ftealing and purloining therefrom, he, 
 {he or they fo offending fhall be deemed guilty h w P U - 
 of burglary, and upon conviction thereof, fhall mlbedi 
 be whipped, not exceeding thirty-nine ftripes, 
 and find fureties for good behaviour for a terra 
 not exceeding three years, and upon default of 
 fureties, fhall be committed to gaol for a term- 
 not exceeding three years, or until fentence be 
 performed. 
 
 If the perfon or perfons fo breaking and en- and fined, 
 tering any dwelling-houfe, fhop, flore or veflel 
 as aforefaid, fhall actually fteal and purloin, 
 therefrom, he, me or they fo offending, upon 
 conviction thereof, fhall moreover be fined in 
 
 D 
 
yorfeittire 
 on perfoiis 
 breaking 
 houfes,&c. 
 
 wilful mur 
 der. 
 
 tttfele the value of tlie articles ftolen; one thinjl 
 of fuch fine to be to the territory, and the othef 
 two thirds to the party injured. 
 
 If the perfon or perfons fo breaking and en 
 tering any dwelling-houfe, (hop, ftore or veffel 
 as aforefaid, (hall commit, or attempt to com 
 mit any perfonal abufe, force, or violence, or 
 {hall be fo armed with any dangerous weapon 
 or weapons as clearly to indicate a violent in 
 tention, he, (he or they fo offending, upon con 
 viction thereof, mall moreover forfeit all his, 
 her or their eflate, real and perfonal, to this 
 territory, out of which the party injured (hall 
 be recompenced as aforefaid, and the offender 
 mail alfo be committed to any gaol in the ter 
 ritory for a term not exceeding forty years. 
 What cafes And if the death of any innocent perfou 
 deemed fhould enfue from the breaking and entering 
 any dwelling-houfe, mop, ftore or veflel as a- 
 forefaid, in any of the inftances aforefaid, the 
 perfon or perfons fo breaking and entering 
 {hall be deemed guilty of wilful murder. And 
 all perfons aiding and affifting in breaking and 
 entering any dwelling-houfe, mop, ftore or vef- 
 fel as aforefaid, or in any of the crimes confe* 
 quent thereupon, as before pointed out, mall 
 be deemed principals. 
 
 Robbery. 
 
 If any perfon or perfons mail unlawfully and 
 forceably take from the perfon of another in the 
 field or highway, any money, goods or chattels, 
 he, he or they fo offending mail be deemed 
 guilty of robbery, and upon conviction thereof, 
 {hall fuffer as in the firft inftance of burglary. 
 
 Whoever fhall commit fuch robbery with 
 perfonal abufe or violence, or be armed at the 
 time with any dangerous weapon or weapons 
 fo as clearly to indicate an intention of violence, 
 he, {he or they fo offending, upon convi&ioa 
 
 What 
 
 crimes 
 
 deemed 
 
 robbery, 
 
 and how 
 
 punifhed, 
 
( ax ) 
 
 thereof, fhall moreover Cutter as in the fecond Robbery 
 inilance of burglary. And in cafe any perfon 
 or perfons robbing or attempting to rob, as 
 aforefaid, fhall kill or flay any perfon or per 
 fons defending him, her or themfelves, or others, 
 or his, her or their property againft fuch rob 
 ber or robbers, or perfon or perfons attempt 
 ing to rob, or in purfuing and endeavouring 
 to apprehend and fecure fuch perfon or per 
 fons fo robbing or attempting to rob, he, me 
 or they fo offending (hall be deemed guilty of 
 wilful murder. And all aiders and abettors 
 in any robbery as aforefaid, and in any of the 
 crimes confequent thereupon, as before pointed 
 out, fhall be deemed principals. 
 
 AR* ST. GLAIR, 
 SAML. H. PARSONS, 
 JAMES M. VARNUM. 
 
 Riots and unlawful Affemblies. 
 If three or more perfons mall affemble to- Fines on 
 gether with intention to do any unlawful a&, ^^^ 
 with force and violence, againft the perfon or & c e . m 
 property of another, or to do any other unlaw 
 ful aft, againft the peace and to the terror of 
 the people ; or being lawfully aifembled, fhall 
 agree with each other to do any unlawful aft 
 as aforefaid, and fhall make any movement or 
 preparation therefor, the perfons fo offending, 
 and upon conviction thereof fhall pay, as a fine, 
 each, to this territory, the fum of fixteen dol 
 lars, and find furety for their good behaviour 
 refpe&ively for the fpace of fix months, and 
 {land committed till fentence be performed. 
 
 Whenever three or more perfons fhall be Judges du 
 affembled as aforefaid, and proceeding to com- ty 
 mit any of the offences aforefaid, it fhall be the 
 duty of all judges, juftices of the peace and 
 fheriffs, and all minifterial officers, immediately 
 upon adual view, or as foon as may be upon 
 
judges da-* information, to make proclamation in the heaN 
 ty on un- m ^ o f f uc fa offenders, if filence can be obtained. 
 
 lawful af O ,. . 5 . r . TT . 
 
 commanding them in the name or the United 
 States, to difperfe, and depart to their fevenl 
 homes, or lawful employments : And if upon 
 fuch proclamation, or when filence cannot be 
 obtained, fuch perfons fo aifembled mail not 
 difperfe, and depart as aforefaid, it (hall then 
 be the duty of fuch judges, juftices of the peace 
 and (heriffs, and other minifterial officers, re- 
 fpectively, to call upon all perfons near, and of 
 abilities, and throughout the county, if necef- 
 fary, to be aiding and afiifting in difperfing and 
 taking into cuftody all perfons aflembled as 
 aforefaid : And all military officers and others 
 called upon as aforefaid are hereby ordered and 
 dire&ed to render inftant and full obedience 
 in this behalf, upon the penalty of ten dollars 
 each for every neglect or r^fufal herein, and 
 commitment in cafe of non-payment. If any 
 of the perfons fo unlawfully aflembled fhall be 
 killed, maimed or otherwife injured, in confe- 
 quence of refilling the judges, or others in dif 
 perfing and apprehending, or in attempting to 
 difperfe and apprehend them, the faid judges, 
 juftices of the peace, and fheriffs, an4 other 
 tninifterial officers, and others acting by their 
 authority, or the authority of any of them, 
 mail be holden guiltlefs. 
 
 ob. If any perfon or perfons (hall forceably ob- 
 g ftruft any of the authority aforefaid, or if any 
 i U c. y three or more perfons, ihaU continue together 
 after proclamation as aforefaid made, or at 
 tempted to be made, and prevented by fuch 
 rioters 5 or in cafe of no proclamation, any 
 three or more perfons, being aflembled as afore 
 faid, fhall commit any unlawful act as afore 
 faid, every offender, upon conviction thereof, 
 fhall be fined in a fum, not exceeding three 
 hundred dollars, and be whipped, not exceed- 
 
f 23 ) 
 
 ing thirty-nine ftripes, and find furety for good . 
 
 , T r t committinar 
 
 behaviour for a time not more than one year, un i a wfui 
 at the difcretion of the court before whom the a<a > ho * 
 conviction may be had. And upon a lecond P unUhcd * 
 conviction, each and every offender mail be; 
 whipped and fined as aforefaid, and find furety 
 for good behaviour and the peace for a time 
 not exceeding ten years, and may be commit 
 ted to any gaol in the territory till fentence be 
 fully performed. 
 
 Perjury. 
 
 If any perfon lawfully called upon to give p^-^ 
 evidence before any court of record, or other what cafef 
 authority in this territory, qualified to admini- <* eemed f<l 
 
 i_ j r i j i i rr - howpumfli- 
 
 iter oaths and iolemn declarations and affirma- c d. 
 tions, (hall wilfully depofe, affirm, or declare, 
 any matter to be fact, knowing the fame to be 
 falfe, or (hall in like manner, deny any fact, 
 knowing the fame to be true, or (hail refufe to 
 depofe, to affiroa^ or declare fuch fact, know 
 ing the fame to be true, the perfon fo offending 
 fhall be deemed guilty of perjury, and upon 
 conviction thereof, mail be fined in a fum not 
 exceeding fixty dollars, or be whipped not ex 
 ceeding thirty-nine ftripes, and fhall moreover 
 be fet in the pillory for a fpace of time not ex 
 ceeding two hours, and be ever after incapable 
 of , giving teftimony, being- a juror, and of fuf- 
 taining any office, civil or military in this ter 
 ritory. 
 
 And if any perfon or perfons mall corruptly 
 procure any other perfon to commit the crime 
 of perjury, as before defined, he, flie, or they 
 fo offending, fhall upon conviction thereof fuf- 
 fer the fame punifhments and difabilities as in 
 the cafe of actual perjury. 
 
 Larceny. 
 
 If any perfon or perfons fhall fteal or pur 
 loin from another perfon or perfons, any mo- 
 
( 24 ) 
 
 > goods, wares, or merchandize, or any 
 other perfonal property or thing whatever, 
 he, fhe, or they fo offending, fhall be deemed 
 guilty of larceny, and upon convidion thereof, 
 fhall for the firft offence reflore to the owner 
 the thing ftolen, and pay to him the value there 
 of; or two fold the value thereof, if the thing 
 ftolen be not reftored, and mail be fined in a 
 Jum not exceeding two fold the value of the 
 thing or goods ftolen, or fhall be whipped not 
 how pu- exceeding thirty-one ftripes, at the difcretion 
 nifhed. of the court. Upon a fecond convidion, refti- 
 tution and payment fhall be made to the owner 
 as aforefaid a fine fhall be fet and paid to the 
 territory, not exceeding four fold the value as 
 aforefaid, and the offender fhall be whipped 
 not exceeding thirty-nine ftripes : and in like 
 manner upon every fucceeuing conviction. 
 And in cafe fuch convict fhall not have pro 
 perty, real or perfonal, wherewith to difcharge 
 and fatisfy the fentence of the court, it fhall be 
 lawful for the fheriff, by direction of the court, 
 to bind fuch perfon to labour for a term not 
 exceeding feven years, to any fuitable perfon 
 who will difcharge fuch fentence. 
 
 And if any perfon or perfons fhall receive 
 any goods or other thing as aforefaid, know 
 ing the fame to be ftolen, he, fhe, or they fa 
 offending, fhall be deemed principally guilty, 
 and upon conviction thereof fhall be punifhed 
 accordingly. 
 
 And if any perfon or perfons fhall agree or 
 compound, or take fatisfaction for any fteal- 
 ing, or goods ftolen, fuch perfon or perfons 
 upon convidion thereof, (hall forfeit twice the 
 value of the Aims or thing agreed for or taken : 
 but no perfon fhall be debared from taking his 
 goods again, provided he profecute the thief. 
 
C *5 ) 
 
 Provided alfo, that nothing herein fhall be con* 
 {trued fo as to oblige a parent to profecute a 
 child, being an infant , or in a ftate of minority* 
 
 Forgery. 
 
 Whoever fhall forge, deface, corrupt, or em* Forgery, 
 bezzle any charters, gifts, grants, bonds, bills, 
 conveyances, wills, teftaments, or written con- 
 tra&s of any nature or kind, or fhall deface or 
 falfify any enrollment, regiftry or record, or 
 matter or inftrument recorded, or fhall coun* 
 terfeit the feal or hand writing of another with 
 intent to defraud, every perfon fo offending 
 fhall upon convidion thereof, be fined in dou* how 
 ble the fum he fhall thereby have defrauded, 
 or attempted to defraud another, one half there 
 of to the party injured or intended to be in 
 jured, and fhall moreover forever after be ren 
 dered incapable of giving teftimony, being a 
 juror, or fuftaining any office of truft, and be 
 fet in the pillory, not exceeding the fpace of 
 three hours. And all perfons wilfully aiding 
 and affifling in the commiffion of thefe crimes, 
 or who fhall caufe or procure the fame, or any. 
 of them to be perpetrated fhall be deemed prin<* 
 cipals. 
 
 Ufurpation. 
 
 No perfon fhall take upon himfelf, or exer- 
 cife, or officiate in any office or place of au-. what cafcs 
 thority in this territory, without being lawful- 
 ly authorized thereunto ; and if any perfon 
 ihall prefume fo to do, he fhall upon convi&ion 
 thereof, be fined in a fum not exceeding one 
 hundred dollars. 
 
 AJfault and Battery. 
 
 If any perfon fhall unlawfully afiault orAflauitand 
 threaten another in a menacing manner, or ^ e t r c y ; fe$ 
 fhall fhike, or wound another, he fhall upon deemed T 
 conviction thereof, be fined in a fum not 
 
C 26 ) 
 
 fined exceeding one hundred dollars : and the court 
 before whom fuch conviction fhall be had, 
 may at their difcretion caufe the offender to 
 enter into recognizance with furety for the 
 peace, and good behaviour, for a time not ex 
 ceeding one year. 
 
 Fraudulent Deeds, &c. 
 
 Fraudulent All bonds, bills, deeds of fale, gifts, grants 
 perfonf C * or other conveyances or obligations whatever, 
 making made with intent to deceive and defraud others, 
 feed. h W or to defeat creditors of their juft debts or de 
 mands ihall be null and void ; and the perfon 
 or perfons fo offending, fhall upon convidion 
 thereof, be fined in a fum not exceeding three 
 hundred dollars, and pay double damages to 
 the party or parties injured. 
 
 Difobedience of Children and Servants* 
 PJ f If any children or fervants Ihall contrary to 
 cafes of dif- the obedience due to their parents or matters, 
 obedient refift or refufe to obey their lawful commands, 
 en &c upon complaint thereof to a juftice of the 
 peace, it fhall be lawful for fuch juftice to fend 
 him or them fo offending, to the gaol or houfe 
 of correction, there to remain until he or they 
 fliall humble themfelves to the faid parents, or 
 mafters fatisfaction. And if any child or fer- 
 vant fhall contrary to his bounden duty pre- 
 fume to affault or flrike his parent or matter, 
 upon complaint and conviction thereof, before 
 two or morejuftices of the peace, the offender 
 be whipped not exceeding ten ftripes. 
 
 Drunkennefs\ 
 
 if any perfon fhall be convicted of drunken- 
 r nefs before one or more juflices of the peace, 
 the perfon fo convicted fhall be fined, for the 
 firft offence, in the fum of five dimes, and for 
 every fucceeding offence, and upon conviction, 
 in the fum of. one dollar and in either cafe, 
 
( 27 ) 
 
 upon the offender s neglecting or refufmg to 
 pay the fine, he fhall be "let in the (locks for the 
 fpace of one hour. Provided however, that 
 complaint be made to the juftice or juftices 
 within two days next after the fcffence (hall 
 have been committed. 
 
 Improper and Profane Language. 
 Whereas idle, vain and obfcene converfa- 
 tion, profane curfmg and fwearing, and more 
 specially the irreverently mentioning, calling 
 uponj or invoking the facred and fuprcmc be- 
 ing, by any of the divine chara&ers in which 
 he hath gracioufly condefcended to reveal his 
 infinitely beneficent purpofes to mankind, are 
 repugnant to every moral fentiment, fubverfive 
 of every civil obligation, inconfiflent with the 
 ornaments of poliihed life, and abhorrent to 
 the principles of the moft benevolent religion. 
 It is expe&ed therefore, if crimes of this kind 
 fhould exift, they will not find encouragement, 
 countenance, or approbation in this territory. 
 It is flri&ly enjoined upon all officers and mi- 
 niflers of juftice, upon parents, and others, 
 heads of families, and upon others of every 
 defcription, that they abftain from practices fo 
 vile and irrational ; and that by example and 
 precept, to the utmoft of their power, they pre 
 vent the neceflity of adopting and publifhing 
 lawsj with penalties upon this head. And it is 
 hereby declared that government will confider 
 as unworthy its confidence all thofe who may 
 obflinately violate thefe injunctions. 
 
 Firft day of the wek. 
 
 Whereas mankind in every ftage of inform 
 ed fociety, have confecrated certain portions of 
 time to the particular cultivation of the focial 
 virtues, and the public adoration and worfhip 
 of the common parent of the univerfe : and 
 E 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 day of whereas a pra&ice fo rational in itfelf, and con- 
 the week to formable to the divine precepts is greatly con- 
 
 Dereiigioul- . ... * J. 
 
 . ducive to civilization as well as morality and 
 piety ; and whereas for the advancement of 
 fuch important and interefting purpofes, moft 
 of the chriftian world have fet apart the firft 
 day of the week, as a day of reft from common 
 labours and purfiiits ; it is therefore enjoined 
 that all fervile labour, works of neceffity and 
 charity only excepted, be wholly abftained 
 from on faid day. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR. 
 
 SAML. H. PARSONS. 
 
 JAMES M. VARNUM. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 A LAW regulating Marriages : adopted and publijhed by 
 His Excellency- Arthur St. Clair, Efqutre^ Governour, 
 the Honourable Samuel Holden Parfons, and James Mi- 
 chell Varnum, Judges of the Territory of the United 
 States north-weft of the river Ohio. 
 
 years, and female perfons of the ?ge of 
 marr y ; fourteen years, and not prohibited by the laws 
 
 of God, may be joined in marriage. 
 by whom ; It fhall be lawful for any of the judges of the 
 general court, or of the county court of com 
 mon pleas in their refpedive counties, miniflers 
 .of any religious fociety or congregation within 
 the diftrids in which they are fettled, and the 
 fociety of chritians called qtiakers in their pub 
 lic meetings, to join together as hufband and 
 wife all perfons of the above defcription who 
 may apply to them agreeably to the rules and 
 ufage of the refpeftive focieties to which the 
 parties belong. 
 
Previonfly to perfons being joined in mar - inwhat 
 riage as aforefaid, the intention of the parties manner ia- 
 fhall be made known by publifhing the fame e ntion .* 
 
 t- if r r r i iin t tne Parties 
 
 for the fpace or fifteen days at the leait, either fhaii be 
 by the fame being publickly and openly de- pubU&ed; 
 clared three feveral Sundays, holy days, or 
 other days of public worfhip in the meeting in 
 the towns where the parties refpe&ively belong, 
 or by publication in writing under the hand 
 and feal of one of the judges before mentioned, 
 or of a juflice of the peace within the county, 
 to be affixed in fome public place in the town 
 wherein the parties refpeclively dwell, or a li- 
 cenfe mail be obtained of the governour under 
 his hand and feal, authorifmg the marriage of 
 the parties without publication, as is in this 
 law before required. 
 
 Male perfons under the age of twenty-one eertain 
 years, and female perfons under the age of perfons to 
 eighteen fliall not be joined in marriage with- ^ tain P re - 
 
 /- n t t r r i r i vious- con- 
 
 out firil obtaining the confent of their fathers f cnt O f pa . 
 refpeftively, or (in cafe of the death or incapa- rents &c - 
 city of their fathers) of their mothers, or guar 
 dians, provided fuch parents or guardians live 
 within the territory. 
 
 Where perfons not refident within the ter 
 ritory apply to be joined in marriage, the con 
 fent of fathers, mothers, or guardians mall be 
 obtained in like manner as if they were citizens 
 of the territory. 
 
 A certificate of every marriage folemnized Ccrtificate$ 
 as aforefaid, figned by the judge or minifler or marriage 
 celebrating the fame, or in cafe of quakers, by b f ycn 
 the clerk of the meeting, fhall be by fuch judge, g 
 minifler or clerk refpe&ively tranfmitted to the 
 regifter of the county wherein the marriage 
 has been folemnized, -within three months 
 thereafter, to be entered on record by fudh re- 
 
( 30 
 
 , aii exemplification of which fhall be 
 cation to be evidence of fuch marriage. 
 
 deemed 
 
 evidence. If any judge, minifter or others by this law 
 penalty on authorized to join perfons in marriage fhall 
 marrying perform the celebration thereof .contrary to the 
 trary to thiB true intent and meaning of the fame, the per* 
 law ; fon or perfons fo offending, Ihall upon convic 
 tion thereof forfeit the fum of one hundred 
 dollars to and for the ufe of the territory. 
 
 on negiea- And if any judge, minifter, or clerk as afore- 
 inwtotranf-faid fliall neglect to tranfmit a certificate of 
 age certS- ^ uc ^ marriage to the regifter as aforefaid, he 
 te. fhall upon conviction thereof forfeit twenty 
 dollars to and for the ufe of the territory. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR. 
 SAML. H. PARSONS. 
 JAMES M. VARNUM. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 A L A W in addition to a Law, entitled, a Law for re 
 gulating and eftablijhing the Militia, in the Territory of 
 the United States north-weft of the River Ohio, publijhed 
 by his Excellency Arthur St. Olair, Governour, Samuel 
 Holden Parfons, and James Mitchell Varnum, Ef- 
 quires, Judges of the Territory of the United States north* 
 weft of the river Ohio, in the city of Marietta, Nov. the 
 23^, A.D. 1788. 
 
 r | HE officers of the militia are required, 
 
 A and it fhall be their duty to caufe all per 
 
 fons who by law are obliged to do military 
 
 duty to be enrolled in the companies of militia* 
 
 P er fon wno by the aforefaid law, is 
 to obliged to do military duty, and fhall neglecl: 
 arnw, d & c . to ^ urn ^ himfelf with arms, accoutrements 
 and ammunition, agreeably to the require 
 ments of faid law, by the times herein after 
 mentioned fhall pay a fine, for. each month, he 
 
( 3" ) 
 
 fliall neglect to provide the articles by faid for- to be fined; 
 mer law required, in the fums herein after fpe- 
 cified, that is to fay, for a mufket and bayonet, 
 or rifle, not provided within thirty days after 
 the publication of this law, or next after fuch 
 perfon fhall be enrolled, five dimes ; for every 
 pound of powder, and four pounds of lead, or 
 forty rounds of cartridges not provided within 
 fifteen days next after the publication of this 
 law, or after fuch perfon fhall be enrolled, two 
 dimes and five cents ; for every cartridge box 
 and pouch, or powder horn and bullet pouch 
 not provided within fifteen days, next after the 
 times before herein fpecified, two dimes ; for 
 every fix flints not provided within ten days, 
 next after the times before mentioned, one 
 dime and five cents ; for every priming wire 
 and brufh not provided within thirty days as 
 aforefaid, one dime. 
 
 And the military officers are hereby requir- officers to 
 ed and directed to infpect the arms, accoutre- infpe<a . tht 
 
 i r i 11 armsj &c. 
 
 ments, and ammunition or the men belonging 
 to their refpective companies, on the firft Sab-, 
 bath day in each month. And the officers of and coilc<a< 
 the companies of militia are authorized and the fine8 * 
 directed to collect the fines, by this law in 
 flicted, in the fame manner as other fines are 
 by faid former law to be collected. 
 
 AR. ST. GLAIR. 
 
 SAML. H. PARSONS. 
 
 JAMES M. VARNUM* 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 A LAW appointing Coroners, publijhed the 2 ift of De 
 cember, 1700, by his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, Go- 
 vernour, the Honourable Sumuel Holden Parfons, and 
 James Mitchell Varnum, Efquires, Judges of the Ter~ 
 ritory of the United States nortn-wejl of the river Ohio. 
 
 Coroner to A Coroner fhall be appointed in each coun- 
 be appoint- j"j^ty within this territory, who fliall be fworn 
 
 to a faithful difcharge of his office, and fhall 
 
 give bonds in the fum of two thoufand dollars, 
 to give w ith two fureties for the due performance of 
 
 the fame before he enters upon the duties 
 
 thereof. 
 
 And it (hall be the duty of the Coroner, by 
 a jury of the county, to enquire concerning the 
 death of a perfon flain, who dies fuddenly or 
 in prifon, and his inquifition fo taken he fliall 
 certify to the next general court holden within 
 the county, or to the court of general quarter 
 feffions of the peace holden for the county. 
 
 And it fhall be the duty of the coroner to 
 execute procefs of every kind wherein the fhe- 
 riff is a party or interefted in the fuit, or for 
 other juft caufe is by law rendered incapable 
 to execute the fame. 
 
 And in cafe the fheriff for any caufe fhall be 
 committed to gaol, the coroner fhall by himfelf 
 or fuch perfon as he fhall appoint, be keeper 
 of the gaol during the time the fheriff fhall re 
 main a prifoaer. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR. 
 
 SAML. H. PARSONS. 
 
 JAMES M. VARNUM. 
 
( 33 ) 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A L A W limiting the times of commencing Civil A&ions 
 and injlituting Criminal Profecutions ; publijhed by his 
 Excellency the Governour, and the Judges Samuel Holdea, 
 Parfons, and James Mitchell Varnum, EJ quires, in the 
 Territory of the United States north-weft of the Ohio 9 De- 
 December the 2&th, 1788. 
 
 ACTIONS of trefpafs, trefpas quare clau- Limitation 
 fum fregit, cafe (other than for flander) 
 debt upon fimple contract, or for rent, detinue 
 trover, wafle and account, other than fuch ac 
 counts as concern the trade of merchandize 
 between merchant and merchant, their factors 
 and fervants, (hall be commenced within fix 
 years next after the caufe of adion mail have 
 arifen, and not afterwards. 
 
 Actions of trefpafs for aflault and battery, 
 wounding and imprifonment, within four years 
 next after the caufe of action ; action on the 
 cafe for flander, within two years next after the 
 caufe of action ; actions of debt upon fpecialty, 
 and matters of record, and covenant, within 
 ten years next after the caufe of action, and 
 not afterwards. Provided however, that if any 
 perfon entitled to any of the adtions aforefaid, 
 fhall at the time of the caufe thereof accruing, 
 be within the age of twenty-one years, feme 
 covert, non compos mentis, or imprifoned, then 
 and in fuch cafes, the a&ion may be commenc 
 ed within the fpace of one year after fuch difa- 
 bilities fhall refpe&ively be removed. 
 
 All profecutions for crimes, other than for 
 capital offences, forgery, perjury and larceny, 
 lhall be inftituted within two years next after 
 the crime fhall have been committed, and pro 
 fecutions for the crimes of forgery, perjury, 
 and larceny fhall be inftituted within four years 
 
( 34 ) 
 
 next after the crime fliall have been committed 
 
 and not afterwards. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR, 
 SAML. H. PARSONS, 
 JAMES M. VARNUM. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 COPIES of the Laws pafied in the Territory 
 
 of the United States north-weft of the 
 
 River Ohio, in the Year 1790; 
 
 WINTHROP SARGENT, Secretary. 
 
 An ACT ts prohibit the giving or felling intoxicating Li 
 quors to Indians, refiding in, or coming into the Terri 
 tory of the United States north weft of the river Ohio, 
 and for preventing Foreigners from trading with Indians 
 therein. Faffed at Vincennes the nineteenth day of July, 
 lone thouf and f even hundred and ninety, by the Honourable 
 Winthrop Sargent, Efquire,. Secretary of the f aid Terri 
 tory (now vefted with all the powers of the Governor there 
 of Jandthe. Honourable JohnCleves Symmesand George 
 Turner, Efquires, Judges in and over the fame. 
 
 HERE AS many abufes dangerous to the 
 the lives, peace, and property of the 
 good people of this territory, and derogatory to 
 the dignity of the United States, have arifen 
 by reafon of traders and other perfons furnifh- 
 ing fpirituous and other intoxicating liquors to 
 the Indians inhabiting, or coming into thefaid 
 territory. For remedy whereof 
 
 Forfeiture Sec. i. Be it enafled,Thzt if from and after the 
 for vending firft day of January next, any trader or other 
 P er fon whomfoevcr, refiding in, coming into t 
 or palling through the faid territory of the Uni 
 ted States north-weft of the river Ohio, or any 
 part thereof, {hall prefume to furnifli, vend, 
 fell, or give, or fhall dire& or procure to be fur- 
 nifhed, vended, fold, or given upon any account 
 
 w 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 whatever, to any Indian or Indians, or nation to Ind;an ,. 
 or tribe of Indians, being within the territory 
 aforefaid, any rum, brandy, whifky or other 
 intoxicating liquor or drink, he or fhe fo offend 
 ing, fhall forfeit and pay, for every quart of 
 fuch liquor, or drink, fo furnifhed, the fum of 
 five dollars, and for any quantity furnifhed at 
 one time, lefs than a quart, the fum of four 
 dollars. One moiety of each, and every of the 
 feveral penalties, fhall go to the party inform- how dir f _ 
 ing, on convidlion of the offender, and the ed of; 
 other moiety thereof to the ufe of the faid 
 territory. 
 
 Sec. 2. And be it further enabled, That if procecdin ., 
 any perion not a fubjed or citizen of the United *> ^ & 
 States, or of this territory, or who owes or J^"^ 
 profenes to owe allegiance to any foreign po- trad" 
 tentate, power, Jftate, or colony, {hall after the d ng withln " 
 faid firft-day of January next, be found within 
 this territory, buying from,diftributing among 
 or felling or giving to any of the Indians, or 
 nations, or tribes of Indians inhabiting the 
 fame, any manner of goods, war&, or mer 
 chandize, or other articles of commerce, bar. 
 ter or exchange, he or fhe fo tranfgreffing, 
 lhall forfeit to the ufe of this territory, all his 
 or her goods and chattels perfonal, and fuffer 
 HI any of the counties of the faid territory im, 
 pnfonment without bail or mainprize for a 
 term not exceeding eighteen months, nor lefs 
 than fix months. And if any perfon being a 
 citizen of the United States, or refident with a?ainft t 
 m this territory, fhall after the faid fiS day of 
 January, go to, refide in, or trade with Indians 
 at or near any of their towns, fettlements or 
 habitations, lying within the faid territory 
 xvithout a licenfe for that purpofe firft duly 
 obtained, he or fhe fhall forfeit and pay to the 
 ufe of this territory, the fum of fi ve hundred 
 F 
 
 liceucc - 
 
( 3 > 
 
 dollars. Provided always, That nothing here 
 in contained mall be taken or conftrued to iff** 
 pair or weaken the powers and authority that 
 now are, or at any time hereafter, may be veft- 
 ed in the governour and commander in chief> 
 or other perfon, as fuperintendant of Indian 
 affairs, or commiffioner plenipotentiary for 
 treating with Indian nations. 
 
 WINTHROP SARGENT, 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES._ 
 G. TURNER. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 An ACT prohibiting the f ale of fpiritous and other intoxi* 
 eating Liquors to Soldiers in thffervice of theUnited States, 
 being within ten miles of any military Poft within the 
 Territory of the Uni-ted States north-weft of the river Ohio ,- 
 and to prevent the felling or pawning of arms, ammuni 
 tion^ cloathing, and accoutrements. Faffed at Vincennes 
 the twenty-jixth day of July, in the year of Chrift one 
 thoufand Jeven hundred and ninety , by the Honourable 
 "WintHrop Sargent, Efquirc, Secretary of the f aid Terri 
 tory (now vefted with all the powers of the Governour and 
 Commander in Chief thereof J and the Honourable John 
 Cleves Symmes, and George Turner, Efquires, Judges 
 in and over the fame. 
 
 regulation SeC I- Ti E 7/ ***&**> That i 
 
 ifor fi^ of Jj being within ten miles of any en- 
 
 U " campment, poft, fort or garrifon, or hofpit^il 
 for the convalefcents thereof now, or hereafter 
 to be formed, eftablifhed or ere&ed within this 
 territory, and occupied, garrifoned, or poflefled 
 by regular troops in the fervice of the United 
 States, or of this territory, (hall give, fell, ex 
 change or furnifh, or caufe or procure to be 
 given, fold, exchanged, or furniftied, to any 
 non-commiffioned officer or private foldier 
 (knowing him to be fuch) ferving in or belong- 
 
( 37 ) 
 
 ing to any encampment, port, fort, gafrifon, or to non- 
 hofpital as aforefaid, any fpirituous or other in- c ^ ffioD " 
 
 f , . /.IT i . ed officers. 
 
 toxicatmg liquor or drink, be the quantity & c . 
 more or lefs, without an order in writing pre- 
 vioufly obtained from a co mmiflioned officer 
 ferving with the fame troops, he or me fo of* 
 fending, (hall on conviction, forfeit and pay 
 to the ufe of the party firft informing (or to 
 the ufe of the county wherein the offence is 
 Committed, if the prpfecution be at the fuit, 
 and on behalf of the United States) the fum 
 of two dollars for every gill of fuch liquor, or 
 drink fo furnifhed, without an order as afore* 
 faid, to be recovered before any two juflices 
 of the peace for the county wherein the offence 
 mail be committed, in cafe the aggregate fum, 
 fo to be forfeited do not exceed twenty dollars, 
 or if otherwife by action of debt or information 
 in any court of record. Provided a/ways. That 
 nothing herein before contained mail be con- 
 ftrued to reftrain the furgeon or furgeon^mate, 
 having the care of the convalefcents 5 in any 
 fuch hofpital or hofpitals, from procuring for 
 the ufe thereof any liquor or drink, he may 
 deem needful. 
 
 Sec;- 2. And be it further enafteds That if enalt 
 any perfon mail prefume to bargain for, pur- purchafing 
 chafe, or receive in pledge, or as a gift, or c eir arm * 
 caufe or procure to be bargained for, purchased, 
 or received in pledge or as a gift, on any pre 
 tence whatever, all or any part of the public 
 arms, ammunition, clothing or accoutrements 
 pertaining to any. non-commiflioned officer or 
 private foldier in the fervice aforefaid (knowing 
 him to be fuch) he or me fo offending, mail on 
 conviction, forfeit and pay fcr the firft offence 
 treble the value of the articles fo puichafed or 
 received, the fame to be recovered with cofts^ 
 by action of debt or information, in any court 
 
C 3 ) 
 
 ^ record, one half to the informer, and the 
 herein, how other half to the United States, or the whole to 
 . the United States, where profecution mall be 
 firft inflituted on the public behalf alone : and 
 for every repetition of the like offence by the 
 fame perfon, he or Ihe-fo offendkig again, mall 
 forfeit and pay in like manner treble the value 
 of the articles purchafed or received as afore- 
 faid, together with cofts, and mall -moreover 
 fuffer imprifonment for a term, not exceeding 
 one month. 
 
 This aft fhall commence, and be in force 
 from the firft day of January next enfuing. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 An ACTforfuppreJing and prohibiting every fpedcs of Gam 
 ing for Money or other Property , and for making void all 
 contracts and payments made in confequenre thereof, and alfo 
 for rejiraining the diforderly praclice of difcharging firs 
 Arms at certain hours and places. Paj/ed at Vincennes the 
 fourth day of Augujl, in the year of Chrift one thoufand 
 feven hundred and ninety, by the Honourable Winthrop 
 Sargent, Efquire, Secretary of the Territory of the United 
 States north-zveft of the River Ohio, (now vejlcd with all 
 the powers of the Governor and Commander in Chief there 
 of Jand the Honour able John Cleves Symmes andGcorgG 
 Turner, J "quirts. Judges in and over the fame. 
 
 "TIT THE RE AS the population, happinefs 
 VV and profperity of all countries, efpe. 
 cially infant communities, neceflarily depend 
 upon the fobriety and induflry of the people, 
 and their attention to the moral an,d politi- 
 - cal duties of life, without which neither the 
 great ends of fociety can be anfwered, nor the 
 blefTmgs of good government be felt. And 
 whereas many pernicious games have beenpub- 
 lickly praftifed in this territory, tending to the 
 
( 39 ) 
 
 corruption of morals and the increafe of vice 
 and idlenefs, and by which the honed and un- 
 fufpecling citizen may be defrauded, and 
 deferring families be reduced to beggary and 
 want. 
 
 Sec. i. BE it therefore enafled, That if any Penalty on 
 perfon or perfons within this territory, mail ori fetti s U P 
 
 i . r , . J i gaming ta- 
 
 his, her or their own acccount, or on the ac- bies, &c. 
 count of ariy other perfon or perfons, publickly 
 fet up, permit, or fuffer, or caufe or procure to 
 be publickly fet up, permitted or fuffered,, any 
 fpecies of gaming, play or paftime whatever, 
 whereby money or other property mall be bet-, 
 ted, won or loft, or by reafbn whereof the par- 
 ty fo publickly permitting the fame, mall or 
 may derive any benefit or advantage, in money, 
 goods or other property, as a conlideration for 
 permilfion to play or bett thereat, each and 
 every fuch perfon fo offending mail forfeit and 
 pay for every fuch offence of which he or me 
 mall be convicted, the fum of two hundred dol 
 lars, to be recovered with cofts, by information, 
 .indictment, or action of debt, in any court of 
 record where the fame mall be cognizable. 
 
 Sec. 2. Arid be It further enacted, That if any 
 Cavern-keeper or inn-keeper fliall expofe, per 
 mit or iuffer to be played at, in his or her dwel- 
 ling-houfe, or in any out-houfe, or within or 
 under any booth, arbour, fhed or other place 
 pertaining to fuch dwelling-houfe, or being in 
 his or her tenure or poffeffion, any billiard, 
 faro, E. O. hazard, or other gaming tables, or 
 any other machine, inftrument, device, or in 
 vention whatfoever, by reafon whereof money 
 or other property mall be betted, won or loft, 
 or whereby he or (he {hall derive any benefit or 
 advantage, in money or other property, as a 
 confideratiott for permitting others to play or 
 
( 40 ) 
 
 bett thereat. Then, and in every fuch cafe, 
 the party fo offending fhall be deprived of his 
 or her licenfe, and moreover forfeit and pay to 
 the ufe of the territory, the fum of one hundred 
 dollars, to be recovered with cofts, by informa 
 tion, indictment, or action of debt in any court 
 of record where the fame fhall be cognizable. 
 Provided always , That where in any of the cafes 
 a f refa *d, anv perfon fhall within three months 
 from the caufe of action, firft inflitute an infor 
 mation, quitam, or bring an original action of 
 debt to recover either of the penalties herein 
 before given, and fhall profecute the fame to 
 effect, without delay or difcontinuance, fuch 
 perfon fhall be intitled to receive and have a 
 moiety of fuch penalty, the other moiety there* 
 of fhall go to the ufe of this territory. 
 
 Notes, & c . Sec. 3. And be it further ena^led^ That every 
 Son! y won promife, agreement, note, bill, bond, or other 
 at card$ contract to pay, deliver or fecure money, goods, 
 * c * or eftate, won or obtained, either by playing at 
 
 cards, dice- tables, tennis-bowls, or other games, 
 chances, fports, or paflimes, or by laying or 
 betting, on the hands, or fides of any perfon of 
 party, who fhall play at fuch or any other games, 
 chances, fports, or paflimes, or which fhall be 
 won or obtained, by laying or betting on any 
 horfe-race, cock-fight, or other fport, pa/lime, 
 game, or exercife of fkill or ihance, or which is 
 intended to repay or fecure money or other 
 thing lent or advanced for any of the purpofes 
 aforefaid, or lent or advanced at the time of fuch 
 gaming, fporting, or betting, to a perfon then 
 actually betting, laying, or adventuring money 
 or other thing, fhall and the fame is and are 
 hereby declared to be null and void. And 
 and any conveyance or leafe of lands, tenements, 
 a?" or hereditaments, fold, demifed, or mortgaged, 
 and any fale, mortgage or other transfer of per* 
 
fonal eftate, to any perfon for his ufe, to fatisfy f or money 
 or fecure money or other thing by him won of, won 
 or lent, or advanced to the fellor, leflbr, or 
 mortgagor, or whereof money or other thing, 
 fo won or lent, or advanced, ma-l be part, or all 
 of the confideration money, (hall enure to the 
 heir or heirs of fuch mortgagor, leflbr, bargain- 
 or or vendor, and mall veil the whole eftate and leflbr, &c. 
 intereft in fuch perfon, in the lands, tenements 
 or hereditaments fo leafed,, mortgaged, bar 
 gained or fold, and in the perfonal eftate fo fold, 
 mortgaged or other wife transferred to all intents, 
 and purpofes, in the heir or heirs of fuch leflbr, 
 bargainor, mortgagor or vendor, as if fuch 
 leflbr, bargainor, mortgagor or vendor had 
 died inteflate. 
 
 Provided always neverthelefs, That nothing fo TKJ S 
 far in this aft contained, mall be deemed or not toim 
 conftrued to reftrain or impair the natural and 
 neceflary liberty which all goods citizens, or 
 fubjects without diftinclion, may of right claim &c * 
 and enjoy in the peaceable exercife of any ufe- 
 ful or rational amufement, recreation, fport or 
 paftime, whether the fame be ufed to promote 
 health, pleafure, or a laudable emulation to ex 
 cel in feats of (kill, flrength, adroitnefs, or 
 otherwife howfoever. Provided, That neither 
 money nor other property be betted, won or 
 loft thereby, "nor any confideration of money 
 or other property be taken or given for or by 
 reafon of the fame. 
 
 And whereas a diforderly practice prevails 
 in many parts of this territory of difcharging 
 fire arms in the ftreets and vicinity of cities, 
 towns, villages and ftations, and alfo^f dif 
 charging fire-arms by night in and near fuch 
 cities, towns, villages and ftations, by means 
 whereof the lives of citizens are endangered, 
 
( 42 ) 
 
 alarms are excited, and the repofe and peace 
 of the community difturbed. 
 
 For remedy of which abufes, 
 
 to an Sec * 4- Be i* cna^ed, That if any perfon 
 fhall prefume to difcharge or fire, or caufe 
 ^j" cer - to be difchareed or fired, any gun or other 
 
 taindiilance ~ i i . A 
 
 of a houfc, nre artns at any mark or object:, or upon any 
 pretence whatever, unlefs he or (he (hall at the 
 lame time be with fuch gun or fire-arms at the 
 diftance of at leafi one quarter of a mile from 
 the neareft building of any fuch city, town, 
 village or ftation, fuch perfon fhall for every 
 fuch offence, forfeit and pay to the ufe of the 
 
 wider what county in which the fame fhall be committed, 
 a fum not exceeding five dollars, nor lefs than 
 
 con* to be one dollar. And if any perfon being within a 
 quarter of a mile of any city, town, village or 
 flation as aforefaid, fhall at the fame time wil 
 ful] y di fcharge or fire any gun or fire-arms, or 
 cauie or procure the fame to be difcharged or 
 fired, at any time after the fetting of the fun 
 "f- and before the rifing of the fame, he or me fo 
 
 ter fun fet, offending, fhall in like manner forfeit and pay 
 to l ^ e u ^ e aforefaid, a fum not exceeding five 
 dollars, nor lefs than one dollar ; referving ne- 
 verthelefs to any perfon who will inform, and 
 fue for either of the penalties hereinbefore laft 
 mentioned within one month from the com- 
 million of the offence, a moiety of the penalty 
 which the party offending fhall or. convi&ion 
 be adjudged to forfeit and pay, the other moie 
 ty thereof to go to the ufe of the county as 
 aforefaid ; which faid feve^al penalties, or 
 either of them, fhall be recoverable with cofts, 
 before any juflice, judge, or court having cog 
 nizance of the fame. 
 
 Provided always, That nothing herein con 
 tained fhall be deemed or confliued to extend 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 to any pcrfon lawfully ufmg fire-arms as of- ^ ght to 
 fenfive or defenfive weapons, in annoying, or uicarms 
 oppofmg a common enemy, or defending his law yj 
 or her perfon or property, or the perfon or 
 property of any other, againft the invafion or 
 depredations of an enemy, or in the fupport 
 of the laws and government j or againll the 
 attacks of rebels, highwaymen, robbers, thieves, 
 or others unlawfully aflailing him or her, or 
 in any other manner where fuch oppofition, 
 defence, br refiflance is allowed by the law of 
 the land. 
 
 Provided alfo, That nothing herein con- n military 
 tained mall be conflrued or extend to prevent c 
 the neceflary military exercife, evolutions and 
 firings of, or the difcharging of cannon or 
 fmall arms, by any foldiers or troops in the 
 fervice of the United States, or of this terri 
 tory, being in the field, or polled in or near 
 any city, town, village, flation, garrifon, fort, 
 encampment or other place, a,nd acting under 
 the immediate orders^ or by the fpecial direc 
 tion of the officer commanding the fame. Nor or in killing 
 mail any thing herein contained be intended j/ 
 or conftrued to extend to the act of killing or e d. 
 deflroying birds of prey, or other wild birds, 
 and mad or wild animals of the brute kind 
 lurking among, in or near, or preying upon 
 or threatening to prey upon and devour any 
 kind of animal flock, or the corn, grain, and 
 other produce in, of or belonging to any plan 
 tation, field, garden, or other place within, 
 adjoining, or in the vicinity of any city, town, 
 village or flation : nor to the hindrance of 
 any perfon mooting at or killing any of the 
 larger kind of game or wild animals, fuch as 
 buffaloes, bears, deer, hares, rabbits, turkies, 
 fwans, geefe that may happen at any time to 
 come in view, or be pafling or feeding near any 
 
( 44 ) 
 
 in whatdi- c *ty> town, or other place as aforefaid : but 
 raion every perfon (hooting at any of fuch game is 
 same may nere by required to difchargethe ball, or balls, 
 {hot, or mimle weapon fo employed in a direc 
 tion from fuch city, town, village, or ftation 
 towards the country fo as fuch ball or l^alls, 
 mimle weapon, or fhot, (hall pafs by cor from, 
 and go clear of the buildings pertaining to the 
 fame. 
 
 of Sec. 5. And be it further ena&ed, t That as 
 well the prefiding judge in the general court, 
 as the prefiding judge or juftice in each and 
 every inferior court of law, in this territory 
 (hall feverally and from time to time give 
 this at in charge to the grand juries of fuch 
 courts refpeftively whenever fuch grand juries 
 fhall be fworn. 
 
 This act to commence and be in force from 
 after the firft day of January next. 
 
 WINTHROP SARGENT* 
 JOHN C. SYMMES. 
 G. TURNER. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Art ACT to alter the Terms of the General Court, pa/id 
 at Cincinnati in the county of Hamilton and territory of 
 the United States north -tuejl of the river Ohio, by his Ex 
 cellency Arthur St. Clair, Efquirt, Governor and Com 
 mander in Chief in and over the Territory, and the Ho 
 nourable John Cleves Symmes and George Turner, 
 Ef quires, Judges in and over the fame, on the fourth day 
 of November in the year of our Lord one thoitfand feven 
 hundred and ninety. 
 
 When and Sec. I. TTJ E it enabled and it is hereby enabled, 
 
 where the j[) That from and after the firft foy Q 
 
 terms of ge- T 
 
 nerai court January next, the ieveral terras of the general 
 
 ftalibe court for the territory north-weft of the river 
 
 Ohio fhall be held in the following manner, viz.. 
 
( 45 ) 
 
 In the county of Knox on the firft Tuefday in 
 May yearly and every year. In the county of 
 St. Glair on the fecond Tuefday in June yearly 
 and every year. In the county of Hamilton the 
 firft JTuefday in October yearly and every year. 
 And in the county of Wafhington on the fecond 
 Tuefday in November yearly and every year. 
 
 Sec. 2. And be it further enabled. That fo Certain 
 much of the ftatute laws of the territory as are ^&\w 
 repugnant to the fpirit of this act be and are repealed, 
 hereby repealed. 
 
 AR. ST. GLAIR. 
 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. 
 
 G. TURNER. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 An ACT to augment the Terms of the County Courts of 
 Common Pleas from two to four term,. 1 ; in the year, and to 
 increafe the number of Judges of the faid Court, and alfo 
 of the jfujlices of the Quorum in thefeveral counties : Paff- 
 ed at Cincinnati in the county of Hamilton, thefixth day of 
 November in the year of our Lord one thoufand feven hun 
 dred and ninety, by his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, 
 Efquire, Major -General in the late armies of the United 
 States, and Governor and Commander ix Chief of the 
 Territory of the United States north-wtji of the river Ohio, 
 and the Honourable John Cleves Symmes and George 
 Turner, Lfquires, Judges in and over the faid territory. 
 
 WHEREAS the fittings of the county 
 court of common pleas m the feveral 
 counties of this territory, have hitherto been 
 limited to two terms only in a year, and which 
 on experience hath been found to create <nreat 
 delays in the adminiftration of jnftice, aivd the 
 profecution of fuits to effecl;. 
 
 Sec. i. Be it therefore enaEled^ That from and Four term* 
 after the publication of this aft, four terms of the ^ 
 county court of common pleas (hall be held by held ; 
 the judges of the faid court in each and every 
 
commenc 
 
 and county rcfpe&ively (that is to fay) thofe for the 
 to county of Wafhington fhall be held on the 
 ; third Tuefdays in March and June, and the 
 fir ft Tuefdays in September and December 
 yearly and every year. Thofe for the county 
 of Hamilton, on the firft Tuefday: in February, 
 May, Augufl: and November, yearly and every 
 year. Thofe for the county of St. Clair to be 
 held as followeth (to wit) in the diftrict of Kaf- 
 kafkias on the firfc Tuefdays of January, March, 
 June and Auguft ; thofe for the diftrift of Ca- 
 hokia on the nrft Tuefdays of February, April, 
 July and October ; and thofe for the diftricl: of 
 Prairie du Rocher, on the firft Tuefdays of May, 
 Augufl, November and February, yearly and 
 every year. And thofe for the county of Knox 
 en the fir ft Tuefdays in February, May, Augufl: 
 and November, yearly and every year. 
 
 And whenever the governor of this territory 
 ma ll hereafter think proper to eredt, or fett off 
 ^Y new county or counties in the fame, he is 
 new coun- hereby authorized and empowered to afcertain, 
 fpecify and publifh by proclamation, on what 
 certain days in the year, and the place or pla 
 ces, in fuch new county or counties where the 
 faid county courts of common pleas, and alfo 
 the courts of general quarter feflions of the 
 peace, mail feverally and refpeclively be opened 
 and held in each and every year. 
 
 And whereas it appears that the number, as 
 limited by law, of judges of the feveral county 
 courts of common pleas is too fmall for the due 
 adminiftration of juftice. 
 
 Sec. 2. Be it therefore enacled, That the go- 
 vernour and commander in chief of the territo 
 ry for the time being is hereby authorized and 
 empowered to nominate and commimon in the 
 feveral counties already erected, or \vhich may 
 
( 47 ) 
 
 hereafter be ere&ed in the territory, any num- 
 ber of perfons as judges of the county court of a t y * P more 
 common pleas, not lefs than three nor more than 
 than feven in each and every county. And the 
 governour is hereby further authorized and ty. 
 empowered to increale thejufticesof the quorum 
 in the feveral counties of the territory to any 
 number not exceeding nine in each and every 
 county thereof. 
 
 Sec. 3. And be it further enatfect, That fo 
 much and fuch parts of the ftatute laws as have 
 been heretofore publifhed in the territory, and repealed. 
 are repugnant to the principles and fpirit of 
 this at mall be and the fame are hereby re 
 pealed, 
 
 AR. ST. GLAIR, 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. 
 G. TURNER. 
 
 C K A P T E ft. XVI. 
 
 dn ACT to authorize and require the Courts of General Quar 
 ter Sejions of the Peace, to divide the Counties into Tozan- 
 Jhips and to alter the boundaries of the fame when ntctffary^ 
 and. alfo to appoint Con/tables, Overfeers of the Poor, and 
 Clerks of the Town/hips, and for other purpofes therein 
 mentioned. Faffed at Cincinnati in the county of Hamil 
 ton, thefixthday of November, in the year of our Lord 
 one thouj and feven hundred and ninety, by his Excellency 
 Arthur^ St. Clair, Efquire, Major General in the late 
 armies of the United States, and Governor and Commander 
 in Chief of *hc Territory of the United States norlh-wtjt 
 of the river Ohio, and the honourable John Cleves 
 Symmes and George Turner, Efquircs, Judges in and 
 over the Territory of or ef aid. 
 
 Sec. i. T> E // enafled, That as foon as may 
 
 . JU> be after the publication of this s en - 
 aft, the juftices of the court of general quarter rife tte 
 feffions of the peace in the feveral counties 
 within this territory, mail in their feflions refpec- 
 lively, proceed to divide the faid counties into 
 
to 
 
 ( 48 ) 
 
 townfhips, afligning to fuch townfhips refpec- 
 tively fuch limits and bounds, natural or ima 
 ginary as {hall appear to be mod proper, hav 
 ing due regard to the extent of country, and 
 number of inhabitants refiding within the 
 fame; and the faid townfhips or any of them 
 to fubdivide from time to time whenever the 
 intereft and convenience of the inhabitants 
 thereof may feem to require it. And the juf- 
 tices in feilion as aforefaid mail caufe their 
 clerk of the court to enter of record on the 
 docket of the fame court the particular time 
 when each town/hip is fet off and the fpecinc 
 boundaries amgned thereto. 
 
 ^ ec * 2 * ^- n ^ ^ e ** wafted*, That the faid juf- 
 tices in feflion in each and every county mail 
 
 conftableg ; re fp e &rvely nominate and appoint annually in 
 every townfhip within their county, one or more 
 constables, each of whom ihall continue toferve 
 as a conftable of the townfhip fpccially, and as a 
 conftable of the county generally for the term of 
 
 their duty. one ^ ear next en f u j n g his appointment; and 
 
 his power and duty (hall be to ferve all fuch 
 fummonfes, warrants, fubpoenas, mittimuffes, 
 and other lawful precepts, as fhall be directed 
 to him fpecially, or to him generally with the 
 others, or any conftable of the county, and be 
 put into his hand for the purpofe of fervice. 
 And generally to do and perform all duties and 
 fervices incumbent on him as an officer of the 
 townmip or county, or of the feveral courts of 
 law, and juftice which may from time to time 
 be appointed and held in the county for which 
 he may be a conflable ; and furthermore to do 
 all and angular the duties now or hereafter to 
 be enjoined by law. 
 
 And every pcrfon accepting the office of con 
 ftable mall before he enters on the duties thereof 
 
( 49 ) 
 
 take the following oath before the court of ge. 
 neral quarter feflions, or (in the vacation there 
 of) before a juftice of the peace, who fhall en 
 ter the fame on his docket, that is to fay, " I, 
 A B, do folemnly and fmcerely fwear that I Oath * 
 will faithfully and truly do my duty as a con- 
 ftable of the county of C. and impartially 
 demean myfelf in office, according to my 
 beft underftanding. So help me God." And 
 where any perfon accepting fuch office of con- 
 llable (hall declare himfelf confcientioufly fcru- 
 pulous againft taking an oath, then the follow 
 ing affirmation fhall in like manner be admini- 
 ftered inflead thereof, that is to fay, " I, A B, 
 do folemnly, fmcerely and truly declare and af 
 firm that I will faithfully and truly do my du 
 ty as a conftable of the county of C. and im 
 partially demean myfelf in office, according 
 to my beft underftanding," which affirmation 
 fhall be entered on the docket of the juftice 
 adminiftering the fame. 
 
 Sec. 3. And be it further enatted. That the juftices to 
 faid iuftices iri feffion in their refpedive coun- a PPj nt 
 
 J n ,, . overfeers of 
 
 ties, fhall annually appoint one or more over- the poor; 
 feerc of the poor in each and every townfhip of 
 the county, to ferve for the term of one whole 
 year, and it fhall be the duty of every fuch over- their uty * 
 feer to make report to any juftice of the peace 
 in and for the county, of all vagrant perfons 
 likely to become chargeable to the townfhip 
 for which he is appointed overfeer, and alfo to 
 take notice of all the poor and diftreffed fami 
 lies and perfons refiding in his proper townfhip, 
 and enquire into the means by which they are 
 fupported and maintained. And whenever he 
 fhall difcover any perfon or family really fuffer- 
 ing through poverty, ficknefs, accident, or any 
 misfortune or inability, which may render him, 
 her, or them a wretched and proper obj eel; of pub- 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 lie chanty, it fhall be his duty,. and he is hereby 
 overfcers of ftriftly enjoined to give immediate information 
 the poor : tnereo f to a j u ftice of the peace, acting in ax.d 
 for the fame county, that legal means may be 
 then taken by fuch juftice to afford the perfon 
 or perfons fo fuffering proper and feafonable 
 relief. And every overfeer of the poor ap- 
 oath. pointed as aforefaid fhall take the fame oath 
 or affirmation according to his confeience, to 
 be adminiflered and entered by the fame au 
 thority, and in the fame manner as is prefcrib- 
 ed in this ac~t for a conflable, changing only 
 the words " a conflable," to the words " an 
 overfeer of the poor," and the word " coun 
 ty," to that of " townfhip." 
 
 Juftlces to Sec. 4. And be it further enafied. That the 
 2^^^. ju ft ices in feflion as aforefaid fhall appoint in 
 theirdutj. each townfhip throughout the feveral counties 
 refpedively, a clerk of the townfhip during 
 good behaviour, whofe duty it fhall be to keep 
 a fair book of entries, containing the particular 
 marks and brands aflumed for diflinguiihing 
 the horfes, cattle, hogs, or other beafls of fuch 
 inhabitants of the townfhip as may choofe to, 
 be at the expenfe of thus regiflering the fame, 
 and the name and particular place of abode of 
 every fuch inhabitant fhall at the fame time be 
 entered therein. And for every mark or brand 
 fo regiflered, the clerk of the townfhip fhall 
 be entitled to demand and receive of the per. 
 fon employing him the fum of one quarter of a 
 dollar,and no more. And that it may be readily 
 known to what particular townfhip eflrays be 
 long, the juftices infeflionas aforefaid ihall aflign 
 to each and every townfhip a diftindl letter of the 
 alphabet to be taken and ufed, as the peculiar 
 and general brand of the fame townfhip by all 
 the inhabitants thereof, who fhall caufe the 
 form of fuch letter to be imprefled upon one 
 
( 5 ; 
 
 or both of the horns of every bull, cow, and Duty of 
 ox, and upon one or both of the fhoulders of towndel>k * 
 every horfe, mare and colt, to fuch inhabitants 
 refpectively belonging- And mofever the 
 clerk of the townfhip (hall keep another book 
 in which he fhall enter from time to time every 
 eftray that may be reported to him for that 
 purpofe, defcribing the natural and artificial 
 marks, as well as the colour, fex, age, and fta- 
 ture of every fuch eftray, as far as the fame 
 (hall come to his knowledge, together with the 
 name of the perfon taking up fuch eftray, and 
 where it may be found. And for every eftray 
 fo entered by the clerk he fhall be entitled to 
 demand and receive of the perfon at whofe in- 
 flance fuch entry was made, the fum of half a 
 dollar and no more, and thereupon it fhall be 
 the further duty of fuch clerk, to make out in 
 writing as foon as w may be afterwards two or 
 more fair and legible copies of an advertife- 
 ment defcribing fuch eftray as entered in his 
 faid book, and informing when and where the 
 fame was taken up, and where it may be found, 
 one of which copies fhall be put up in, fonte 
 confpicuous part of his dwelling houfe, and the 
 other copy thereof he fhall caufe to be put up 
 in fome confpicuous part of the town, or place 
 where the courts of juftice are ufually held in 
 and for the fame county. 
 
 Sec. 5. And be it further enatted, That if Duty of 
 any perfon or perfons fhall take up any eftray peribns in 
 within the meaning of this aft, and fhall not 
 within feven days thereafter give or fend no- 
 tice thereof to the then neareft clerk of the 
 townfhip, particularly defcribing fuch eftray, 
 with the time and place when and where the 
 fame was fo taken up and where it is to be 
 found, he, (he or they fo offending fhall for- 
 H 
 
( 5* ) 
 
 penalty for feit and pay to the party informing the fum 
 thfreof f e *&kt dollars, to be recovered with cods 
 before any judge of the county court of com 
 mon pleas, and moreover fhall be liable to the 
 action of the proper owner of fuch eftray, and 
 upon conviction mall pay double damages, any 
 thing in this or any other act of the territory 
 contained to the contrary notwithflanding. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR. 
 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. 
 
 G. TURNER. 
 
 COPY of the Laws paffed in the Territory 
 of the United States north-weft of the 
 River Ohio, from January the ift, 
 1791, to the 3ijfl: of De 
 cember, inclusive. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 An ACT fupplementary to a law, entitled, " A law refpeft- 
 ing crimes and punijhments , publi/hed at Marietta the 
 Jixth day of September in the year of our lord one thoufand 
 Jeven hundred and eighty -eight ." Paffed at Cincinnati 
 in the. county of Hamilton, the twenty-fecond day of June, 
 in the year of our lord one ihoufandf even hundred and nine 
 ty-one, by his Excellency Arthur St. C\a.\r,Ef quire, major- 
 general in the fervice of the United States, and Governour 
 and Commander in Chief of their Territory north-weft of 
 the river Ohio, and the Honourable John Cleves Symmes 
 and George Turner, Ef quires, Judges in -and over the 
 fame. 
 
 Perfon* T) E it enacted. That if any perfon or per- 
 
 Ijrtbt k in"- JC^ fons ft* 11 knowingly and defignedly,by any 
 
 ing goods, falfe pretence or pretences, obtain from any 
 
 * c other perfon or perfons any monies, goods or 
 
 merchandize, or other effects whatfoever, with 
 
 intent to cheat or defraud fuch perfon or per- 
 
v 53 ) 
 
 ions of the fame, he, fhe or they, fo offending how pun . 
 mall, on conviction thereof by verdict or con- l 
 feffion on indictment fuffer fuch punifliment 
 as in cafes of larceny is provided to be inflicted 
 by the aforefaid law pafled at Marietta ; any 
 thing in this or any other law to the contrary 
 notwithstanding. This act to commence and 
 be in force on, from and after the-firfl day of 
 January next enfuing its date, 
 
 AR. ST. CLAI*. 
 
 JOHN CJLEVES SYMME.S. 
 
 G. TURNER. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 An ACT/or tJu punijkmtvt (f perfons tcariji* of defacing 
 pulUcdtt^njfet up by authority. Faffed at Cincinnati 
 in the county of Hamilton, the twenty -jtcoiul da) cf June, 
 in the f^.r .f mr Lord one. tJioufand feven hundred and 
 nuietj-one, by his JLxcdlcncy Arthur St. Clair, Efquire, 
 major -general in the fo cue of the United States, and Go-* 
 venour and Commander in Chief of their Territory nortJi~ 
 weft of the river Ohio, and the Honourable John Clevcs 
 Symmes, and George Turner, J^Ki/tr, Jiulges in and 
 over the fame. 
 
 Sec. I. "tj E / / wafted^ That if from and af- p er f ong 
 
 Jj ter the publication of this aft in 
 the feveral counties refpedively within this 
 territory, any perfon or perfons fhall wilfully public 
 and malicioufly deface, obliterate, tear down, P ofted 
 or deftroy, in part or in whole, any copy or 
 tranfcript of, or extract from, any act or law 
 pafled by the legiflature of this territory, or by 
 the legiflative authority of the United States, 
 or proclamation of the Prefident of the United 
 States, or of the governour and commander in 
 chief of this territory, the fame being officially 
 fixed up in fome conipicuous place by public 
 authority for general information ; every per 
 fon fo offending lhall on conviction before a 
 
( 54 ) 
 
 pun- magiftrate forfeit and pay to the ufe of the 
 jfhed. territory, for every fuch offence, a fum not ex 
 ceeding three dollars, befides cofts, or be fet 
 in th ftocks at the difcretion of fuch magif- 
 trate, for a fpace not exceeding three hours : 
 or in cafe the offender fhall be unable or re- 
 fufe to pay fuch fine (he being fined) then he 
 Jhall be fet in the ftocks for a fpace not ex 
 ceeding three hours, and be afterwards dif- 
 .charged on paying cofts only. 
 
 terfons ^ ec * 2 * ^ nc ^ ^ e lt farther enafted 9 That if, 
 tearing as aforefaid, any perfon mall wilfully and ma- 
 down upb- licioufly deface, obliterate, tear down, or de- 
 bann ns of ^^^ i n part or in whole, any publication of 
 matrimony, the banns of matrimony or advertisement re- 
 fpeding eftrays, or any other notification fet 
 up in purfuance of any acl: or law now or 
 which hereafter may be in force within this 
 territory, fuch offender (hall for every fuch 
 pun- O g- ence O f w hich he maybe convicted, as afore 
 faid, be fet in the ftocks for three hours and 
 pay cofts, or ftand committed to prifon till the 
 fame are paid : any thing in this or any other 
 aft or law to the contrary notwithftanding. 
 ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES, 
 G. TURNER. 
 
( 55 ) 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 An ACT creating the office of Clerk of the Legijlaturt, pa/e$ 
 at Cincinnati in the county of Hamilton, the twenty -fecond 
 day of June in the year of our Lord one t houf and f even 
 hundred and ninety one, by his Excellency Arthur St. 
 Clair, Ef quire, Major-General in the fer vice of the United 
 States, and Governour and Commander in Chief of theit 
 territory north-wejl of the River Ohio, and the Honourable 
 John Cleves Symmes, and George Turner, EfquirtS} 
 Judges in and over the fame. 
 
 I. 12 E it enatted. That an officer (hall be clerk ofthj 
 
 appointed andcoramiffioned, to hold le e iflatur l 
 during pleafure, the office of clerk of the legifla- Dinted ^ 
 ture of the territory of the United States 
 north-weft of the river Ohio. 
 
 II. Before the faid clerk enters upon the du 
 ties of his office, he (hall take and fubfcribe the 
 following oath (or affirmation) to be adminifter- 
 ed by a member of the legiflature (that is to fay) 
 
 " I, A B, do folemnly fwear (or affirm) that I Wl oath * 
 will execute to the beft of my abilities, the du 
 ties which now or hereafter mall pertain to the 
 office of clerk of the legiflature : So help me 
 God." 
 
 III. It (hall be his fpecial duty from time to duty 
 time, to engrofs or caufe to be engrofied, fair 
 ly and accurately in words at length, all acts or 
 laws which the faid legiflature may pafs, in 
 order that the fame may receive the territorial 
 feal, and the fignature of the legiflators pafling 
 the fame. 
 
 IV. The faid clerk (hall procure authentica- to 
 
 ted copies of the laws and caufe the fame to.be the lawa 
 publiflied in each and every county and diftricl: 
 of this territory (at lead once in each county 
 and diftrict) for the information of the citizens 
 throughout the fame. 
 
Doty of the V. He fhall as foon as may be after each a& 
 clerk of the j g p a {f ec i procure and furnifh a fair, accurate. 
 
 legiflaturc. j i_ r i r i_ 
 
 and authentic copy thereof, to the governour 
 and commander in chief of the territory for the 
 time being, and to each and every of the judges 
 in and over the fame, alfo a like copy to the 
 county court of common pleas in each and eve 
 ry county and diftricl: ; another copy to each 
 and every of the judges of probate j and a co 
 py to the court of general quarter feffions of 
 the peace held in and for each and every county 
 and diftricl: of this territory. 
 
 VI. He fhall difcharge fuch other duties as 
 the legiflature may from time to time think ex 
 pedient and proper. 
 
 VII. He fhall furnifh to every perfon requir 
 ing it, certified copies of any tranfcripts of laws 
 in his pofieflion j and be entitled to demand 
 and receive for every meet of one hundred 
 words, eight cents, to his proper ufe and bene 
 fit. 
 
 VIII. And as a farther compenfation for his 
 official fervices, and all expenfes incident to the 
 office, the faid clerk fhall receive quarterly, 
 out of the revenues of this territory (whenever 
 provifion can be made for the fame) the fum 
 of eight cents for every meet of one hundred 
 words which he fhall engrofs, or tranfcribe, 
 for any of the public departments, or officers as 
 aforefaid. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAJR. 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. 
 GEORGE TURNER. 
 
( 57 ) 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 An ACT for rendering authentic as evidence in the Courts of 
 this Territory, the public ads, records and judicial pro 
 ceedings of Courts in the United States. PaJ/ed at Cin 
 cinnati, in the county of Hamilton, the twenty -fecond day 
 of June, in the year of our Lord one thouj "and J "even hun 
 dred and ninety-one, by his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, 
 Ef quire, major-general in the fcrvice of the United States, 
 and Governour and Commander in Cfiief of their Territory 
 north-weft of the River Ohio, and the Honourable John 
 Cleves Symmes, And George Turner, Ef^iut-es^ Judges 
 in and over the fame. 
 
 I. RE/ / enaled> That every a& of the legifla- State a<a* 
 ~ ture of any one of the United States, JjTJJJ fcal 
 having the feal of fuch (late affixed thereto, fhall deemed au. 
 be deemed authentic, and receive full faith and thentic 
 credit when offered in evidence in any court of 
 juftice within this territory. 
 
 II. And the records and judicial proceedings Record* of 
 of the feveral courts ef, or within the United ftatecourtfl 
 States, fhall be proved or admitted in the courts be^dmuJd 
 of juftice in this territory, by the atteflation or P roof 
 certificate of the clerk or prothonotary, and the 
 feal of the court annexed ; together with the 
 certificate of the chief juftice, or one or more 
 of the judges, or of the prefixing magiftrate of 
 every fuch court, as the cafe may be, that the 
 perfon who figned fuch atteftation or certificate 
 was af the time of fubfcribing it, the clerk or 
 prothonotary of fuch court. And the faid re 
 cords and judicial proceedings, authenticated 
 as aforefaid, fhall have fuch faith and credit 
 given to them in every court within this ter 
 ritory, as by law or ufage they have in the courts 
 of the United States, or of any one of the 
 flates whence the faid records are or fhall be 
 taken : Any thing in this or any other a& 
 contained to the contrary notwithftanding. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR. 
 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. 
 
 G. TURNER. 
 
( 58 ) 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 Ato A C T abolifhing the DiftinRion between the Crimts of 
 Murder and pftit Treafon. Pa/ed at Cincinnati in the 
 County of Hamilton the twenty feiond day of June in the 
 year of our Lord one thoufandfeven hundred and ninety one, 
 by his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, Efquire, major ge 
 neral in the fervice of the United States* and Governour 
 and Commander in Chief of their Territory north-wejl of 
 the river Ohio, and the honourable John Cleves Symmes 
 and George Turner, Efquircs, jfudgts in and over the 
 fame. 
 
 "HE RE AS it does not appear reafona- 
 ble any longer to continue the dif- 
 tin&ion between the crimes of murder and pe- 
 Petit trea- tit treafon, Be it therefore enafled, That from 
 fon to be an( j a ft er . the publication of this act, in thefc- 
 crime* of veial counties refpe&ively within this territo- 
 murdeis. T y f * m a ll ca f es wherein heretofore any perfon 
 could have been deemed or taken to have 
 committed the crime of petit treafon, fuch 
 perfon mall be deemed and taken to have 
 committed the crime of murder only and be 
 indicted and profecuted to final judgment ac 
 cordingly ; and the fame punifhment only (hall 
 be inflicted as in the cafe of murder, any thing 
 in this or any other aft or law of the land to 
 the contrary aotwithftanding. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIR. 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMFS. 
 G. TURNER. 
 
atioa 
 
 C 59 ) 
 C H AFTER X2II. 
 
 An ACT regulating tht Enclofures of Grounds. 
 
 at Cincinnati in the county of Hamilton, the twenty ninth- 
 day of jfune in the year of our Lord one thousand Jjvsrf 
 hundred and ninety one, by his Excellency Arthur Sr. 
 Clair, Efquire, Major General in thcfcrvicc of the United 
 States, and GovernoAr and Commander in Chi?f of their 
 Territory north weft of the river Ohio, and the Honourable 
 John Cleves Symmes and George Turner, E/quires, 
 Judges i/i and over the fame^ 
 
 L "D K // c/ijfleJ, That every wall and 
 
 wooden fence of enclofure and par. ofiis 
 tition made or hereafter to be made or con- fcoce8,ac. 
 ftruded of (lone, brick, boards, rails, palifades, 
 or other materials mail be at leail tour feet 
 and an half in height above the common fur- 
 face of the earth, and where the faid fences 
 are or (hall be made with palifades or with 
 pofls and rails, the pofts of, either fence fhall 
 be firmly- fixed in the ground and the pali^tdes 
 be placed not more than three inches apart and 
 where they are or mall be made with timber or 
 rails laid horizontally the pieces of timber and 
 rails compofing the fir ft two feet- frofti *the 
 earth fhall not be placed more than four inches 
 apart, and the fecond two feet from the earth 
 not more than fix inches from each other , nor 
 at greater diftance from the eanh tothe* low- 
 ermoft or bottom rail than three inches, and 
 r thofe ufed with pods fhall be in like manner 
 and at every corner, joint, or angle of any 
 worm fence fuch angle fnall be iecured by 
 flakes flrongly planted in the earth and fur- 
 mounted by a piece of timber or a flrong rail 
 or rider. 
 
 II. And whenever the lands or grounds" of p irt; ,^ tf 
 two or more perfons fhall join or He contiguous fences. 
 and both be under improvement and -either of 
 the parties fhall think it neceffary to run a par 
 tition wall or fence, or a dike and ditch between 
 
 1 
 
( 60 ) 
 
 proceedings the fame, fuch party mall caufe ten days notice 
 in ronJfog in writin g of fuch intention to be ferved on the 
 partition other party if to be found within the county 
 fences, & c j v/here the grounds lie, or to the legally empow 
 ered attorney or agent of the party within fuch 
 county, who mall thereupon be obliged to 
 make, erect,or put up at the fame time a moiety 
 of the whole of fuch partition, wall, fence, or 
 dike and ditch, and each party while- either may 
 think it needful to continue fuch wall, fence, 
 or dike and ditch, mall always keep his proper 
 half part thereof in good and fufScient repair at 
 his, her or their own cofl and charges. 
 
 III. And if the party fo duly ferved with 
 notice, or being not to be found within the 
 county, or not having an authorized agent or 
 attorney therein fhall refufe or neglect to make 
 or put up his, her, or their moiety of fuch par 
 tition wall, fence, or dike ai A d ditch at any time 
 after the other party fhall have completed his 
 own moiety thereof, it fhall and may be lawful 
 for the party lafl mentioned to erect or make 
 the other half of fuch wall, fence, or dike and 
 ditch, and demand of and receive from the 
 other party the juft value and cofl of fuch other 
 half fo lafl erected or made. 
 
 IV. And for that purpofe two or three law 
 ful men mail be mutually chofen by both the 
 parties, and the perfons fo chofen and agreeing 
 to ferve, mall view that part of the partition, 
 wall, fence, or dike and ditch fo lad erected or 
 made, and determine the jufl value thereof ac 
 cording to their befl judgment, certifying the 
 fame as foon as may be in writing under their 
 hands or the hands of a majority of them, which 
 writing fhall be delivered to the party fo erect 
 ing fuch wall, fence, or dike and ditch, and 
 entitle him/her, or them to recover of the other 
 
party the full fum of fuch valuation by action of proceeding* 
 -debt or before any magiftrate where the fame ^^ adon 
 {hall be cognizable. But if either party (hall j!S, 
 refufe or neglect to choofe two or three men fence . &c - 
 for the purpofe aforefaid, then fuch men may 
 be appointed by any juftice of the peace re 
 quired thereto by either of the parties intereft- 
 ed, and the determination of a majority of fuch 
 men (hall be binding, and the juftices of the 
 peace are hereby feverally authorized and re 
 quired upon every fuch application being made 
 to them refpectively to make fuch appoint 
 ment. 
 
 V. Provided always that nothing herein 
 contained fliall be conftrued to compel any per- 
 fon or perfons who may be affected by this aft, 
 to erect his,her, or their part of any partition, 
 wall, or fence of any other materials than 
 wood, and in fuch manner and form as fuch 
 perfbn or perfons may think expedient, nor 
 ihall any party interefted in a partition wall, 
 fence, or dike and ditch be entitled to demand 
 and receive of the other party, any higher or 
 greater coft or valuation for erecting, making 
 or repairing fuch other party s moiety cf fuch 
 enclofure than if the fame had been made of 
 pofts and rails, except wnere a wall or dike 
 and ditch did previoufly form the whole of 
 fuch line of partition, or where an agreement 
 is made between the parties to build a wall or 
 make a dike and ditch ; any thing in this act 
 contained to the contrary in any wife notwith- 
 ftanding. 
 
 VI. And provided alfo. That notmng nere- 
 in contained {hall be deemed or taken to 
 prevent any perfon or party from placing his, 
 her, or their line of enclofure on the partition 
 line fide within his. her, or their own ground, 
 at his, her, or their own proper expenfe, to be 
 
made and kept in repair, in which cafe fuch 
 tr K hd pjriou or party fhall in confcquence be exempt 
 t*nWfeT* from dtfrayii g any part oi f the cod of eret- 
 A.C. ing or iupporting a line of cnclofure upon the 
 
 real partition line lying next between the fame. 
 
 VII. Provldec1 9 That where the owners 
 or occupiers of adjoining ground having a par 
 tition enc lofure thereon, mall ceafe to occupy 
 his, her, or their lands or grounds, either by 
 p Jlure, mowing, or tillage, arul chufe to leave 
 it open and common to cattle, it (hall not be 
 lawful for him, her, or them to remove any 
 part of i ho faid partition enclofure, be the fame 
 made of \vhatfocver materials without giving 
 three months nptice to the owner or occupier 
 cf the adjoining grounds or field, that he, me, 
 or they may take meafures to guard againft 
 inconveniences arifing from the removal of 
 fuc i part of the partition line of enclofure ; 
 and in confcquence of fuch notice all farther 
 charges for maintaining or repairing the fame 
 partition enclofure mail thenceforth ceafe as to 
 him, her or them giving fuch notice, until the 
 land fhall again be taken into ufe or put under 
 culture. 
 
 cattle break VW- ^ n ^ * e It further enafled, That if any 
 ins mto : n horfcs, mares, or neat cattle, hogs, fheep, 
 l. ailDSj or goats, or any one of them fhall break 
 iiiro any ground being furrounded with a law- 
 iul line of enclofure as aforefaid, the owner or 
 owners of every iuch animal fo trefpafling, 
 fnall be liable and make reparation to the party 
 injured, for the true value of the damages, he, 
 /he, or they may have fuflained in coniequence 
 l hereof. 
 
 IX. And be it further enabled. That the 
 juflices of the court of general quarter feflions 
 ol the peace in each and every county and 
 
<8ffric~t> (halt at their refpechve feffions, once in 
 every year> appoint three difcreet and lawful 
 
 r r j j r t(> bs a P- 
 
 mfen appi aifers or damages and viewers or en- ^ ; n ted by 
 loures in- and for every townfhip in each anu :ourt of 
 every Bounty, whofe duty it (hail be to ferve 
 as appraifers of damages and viewers of enclo- 
 fures-for one year, commencing from the time 
 of fuch appointment. 
 
 X. And every perfon fo appointed an ap- 
 praifer of damages or viewer of cnclofufes, mail 
 thereupon rake the following oath (or aiSrma- 
 tion if he be confcientiouily fcrupulous of 
 takirTg an oath) to be adminiftered in open 
 court or by any magi lf rate ading in the com- 
 rniffion of the peace (that is to fay; " I, A. B. totakeoatn, 
 do folemnly fwear that I will to the beft of my 
 abilities fail hiully and impartially execute the 
 office of an appraifer of damages and viewer 
 of enclofures for the time arrigned me accord 
 ing to the laws that are or hereafter may be in 
 force for regulating the duties of appraifers of 
 damages and viewers of enclofures within this 
 territory, fo help me God." And in all cafes 
 where any perfon {hall declare that he con- 
 fcientioufly fcruples to take an oath, an affirmar- 
 tion mall in like manner be adminiftered -inftead 
 of the foregoing oath, but in the fame words, 
 except where the word "fwear" occurs, the 
 words fcC fmcerely and truly declare and affirm" 
 (hall be ufed inltead thereof, and the words 
 " I will " inftead of " fo help me God." 
 
 XL And upon complaint being made by dutyof ap< 
 any citizen or inhabitant to the laid appraifers praifcrs. 
 of any trefpafs being committed by all or any 
 of the animals herein before enumerated in 
 any townfhip for which they may be appointed, 
 the-faid appraifers fhall forthwith- repair .to the 
 place where iuch trefpafs fhall be commit- 
 
C 6 4 ) 
 
 Duty of ap- ted and eftimate the true damages fuftained 
 praifers of thereby, the faid appraifers at the fame time 
 mages, ^ifcharging the duty of viewers of enclofures 
 by taking notice whether that part of the en- 
 clofure around fuch field or ground, and 
 through, under, or over which part fuch tref- 
 pafling animal or animals did break, creep or 
 leap, was immediately previous to the commif- 
 fion of the trefpafs good and fufficient accord 
 ing to the intent and meaning of this act. And 
 if the fame fhall appear to have b ccn a good 
 lawful and fufficient line or lines of enclofure, 
 then and in that cafe reafonable damages fhall 
 be allowed to the party complaining, to be re 
 covered with cofts of fuit and cofts of view of 
 the perfon or perfons owning or claiming the 
 animal or animals committing fuch trefpafs. 
 
 XII. And be it further enafted, That on 
 every view to bs made in purfuance of this 
 aft, the appraifers making fuch vhrrcror any 
 two of them fhall at the time of fuch view make 
 out and fubfcribe a fair and impartial eftimate 
 or valuation founded on their bed knowledge 
 and judgment, of the damages fuftained, toge 
 ther with the cofts of view, and deliver the fame 
 in writing under their hands, to the party in 
 jured, which ihall be good and fufficient evi 
 dence in any court of law or before any ma- 
 giftrate, as the cafe may be, for the recovery 
 of the damages and cofts of view together with 
 cofts of fuit. 
 
 their fcca ^CIII. And it fhall and may be lawful for 
 each and every of the faid appraifers to demand 
 and receive of the party complaining, for each 
 and every view they fl*all make in purfuance of 
 this aft, the fum of thirty three cents, and alfo 
 fix cents for every mile beyond one they fhall 
 ride or walk in going to the particular place of 
 view. 
 
XIV. Saving always neverthelefs to the Rights of 
 French inhabitants of Kafkafkias, La Prairie du alka ia8 
 Rocher, St. Philips, Cahokia and Vincennes, fe^ed!*" 
 and to ail perfons claiming under them their 
 feveral rights and cuftoms refpefting the fenc 
 ing and enclofmg their lands in common as 
 
 far as the fame are referved and confirmed by 
 the conflitution of this territory or any at of 
 the United States, any thing in, this aft to the 
 contrary thereof notwithftanding. 
 
 XV. Provided always, that nothing herein 
 contained fhall be deemed, con/lrued or taken 
 to hinder or prevent the faid French inhabitants 
 or any of them, or any perfon claiming or hold 
 ing under them or any of them, to enclofe un 
 der a diftindt and feparate fence, the whole or 
 any part of the land which he^ me QIC they may 
 refpeftively own, poflefs or occupy, though 
 the fame be part of thofe lands which have 
 ufually been included under one common 
 fence. 
 
 XVI. And laftly, Be it enafied, That where proceeding, 
 any animal mail trefpafs according to the true on n a P- 
 conftrudion of this aft, and no owner mail v a 8 ce f 
 appear within the fpace of twenty-four hours trefpaffing 
 to claim the fame, fome perfon in pofleffion of Cattle h a f ^ 
 the land or ground fo trefpaflfed upon, mall at 
 
 the end of that time, drive or caufe to be driven 
 every fuch trefpaffing animal to the clerk of 
 the town/hip wherein the trefpafs was commit 
 ted, and the faid clerk is hereby required to 
 advertize the lame in fome public place within 
 his townfhip for three fucceflive days, and if 
 at the expiration thereof no owner mall appear 
 as aforefaid and difcharge all damages and 
 cofts, the faid clerk mall proceed to fell for 
 ready money fuch animal, or if more animals 
 than one, fo many of them as fhall raife a fura 
 
fufficient to difcharge the adjudged amount of 
 damages, together with cofts of view and of 
 fales, or as far as the fame will apply, which 
 damages and cofls of view to be afcertained as 
 in cafes of trefpafs is herein before directed. 
 
 AR. ST. GLAIR. 
 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. 
 
 O. TURNER. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 An ACT to alter and amend the MiU*ii Laws, Paffed at 
 Cincinnati, in t)ie county of Hamilton, ih fecond day ofjfu- 
 (y, in tk* y<ir of our Lura one t ho u find /even hundrfd and 
 ninety out^by hs ExtclLmcy Arthur it. Clair, Efquirc, 
 -Centra! in th- fcrwe of the United Stales, and Go- 
 
 vcrrour anJL Coimast?i** Chi f of their Territory north* 
 zocjt of the Rir -r Un^ t a.id the H mou^able John Cleves 
 Symmes and George Turner, I/quires, Judges inand 
 over I he fame. 
 
 7 HERKAS the militia laws of this ter 
 ritory are found to need fome amend- 
 ttiiida,"**^. ment as we ^ with regard to the days of rauf- 
 tering as with rcfpect to the levying of fines 
 for repeated acts of difobedience : 
 
 Sec. i. Be it therefore enafted^ That the cap 
 tain of each company of militia in this territo 
 ry, or in his abicnce the next fenior fubaltern 
 officer prcfent, mail order the commiflioned 
 officers, non-commiiTioned officers and privates 
 under his command to aiTemble at fome conve 
 nient place of parade within the townfhip or 
 village in or near which fuch company may re- 
 lide, on the laft day of every week in the yea% 
 and the^e diligently exercife the company for 
 the fpace of two hours, examining their arms, 
 ammunition and accoutrements as by law di 
 rected, and on any and every deficiency by him 
 found he mall inflict the fine or fines appoint 
 ed by law to be infli&ed for fuch default. 
 
Sec. 2. And be it enabled ^ That whenever per- on 
 Ions enrolled in the militia of this territory blin ? for 
 fhall affemble at any place for public worfhip, jhSp^lTbe 
 every fuch perfon fhall arm and equip himfelf equipped, 
 according to law in the fame manner as if he pr0 ceeding 
 were marching to engage the enemy ,and on de- to be had 
 fault he fhall be fined as the law directs in cafes crc n e f f * 
 of default when ordered for guard or other or 
 dinary military duty, one half of which fine 
 fhall be for the benefit and ufe of the informant, 
 and the other half for the ufe of the county ; 
 and the juflices of the peace in each and every 
 of the counties fhall have jurisdiction herein. 
 And on complaint being made on oath to any 
 one of the aforefaid juftices of the peace, of any 
 perfon belonging to the militia appearing at 
 fuch place of worfhip without his arms, am 
 munition and accoutrements or any article of 
 them directed by law, fuch juflice of the peace 
 fhall iffue his warrant directed to one of the 
 conflables of the county, commanding him to 
 levy fuch fine upon the goods and chattels of 
 fuch defaulter, and the fame goods and chattels 
 theconflable fhall advertize in fome public place 
 of the townfhip or village for the fpace of five 
 days, and if fuch fine be not paid within the 
 five days, fuch conftable fhall proceed to fell fo 
 much of the fame effects at public vendue, for 
 ready money, as will anfwer and pay the fine, 
 and alfo fifty cents cofts, which cofls fhall be 
 one third to the ufe of the juflice of the peace, 
 and two thirds thereof to the ufe of the confla- 
 ble, and the conftable fhali return the overplus 
 (if any) to the defaulter. 
 
 Sec. 3. And be it alfo enaft &d) That whenever a company* 
 a company of militia fhall be afTembled, ac- affemWiug 
 cording to this act, on the lafl day of the week ""^pY 7 
 for exercife as aforefaid, fuch duty being dif- therefrom 
 charged on that day, fhall fuperfede the neceffi- 
 ty of the fame company s meeting on the firft 
 
 K. 
 
( 68 ) 
 
 day of the week, unlefs they do it voluntarily 
 for worfhip, and they fhall arm and equip them- 
 felves as aforefaid. So alfo whenever a com 
 pany of militia fhall be affembled on the firfl 
 day of the week for exercife as aforefaid, fuch 
 duty being difcharged on that day, fhall fu- 
 perfede the neceffity of the fame company s 
 meeting on the lafl day of the week. 
 
 Sec. 4. Be it further enaled. That the cap- 
 Power of . r ^ . f r ... . r 
 militia cap. tain of each and every company or militia, or 
 
 tains or fu i n his abfence the oldeft fubaltern officer of the 
 hereto.* company prefent fhall in cafe of any act of 
 difobedience or neglect in any non commiflion- 
 ed officer or private, and as often as fuch act 
 of difobedience or neglect fhall occur or be re 
 peated, i/fue his warrant of diftrefs for the fine 
 afcerlained by law, to one of the fergeants of 
 the company, commanding him to levy on the 
 goods and chattels of fuch defaulter, and the 
 lame goods and chattels advertize in fome pub 
 lic place of the townfhip or village for the fpace 
 of five days, and if fuch fine be not paid within 
 the five days, fuch fergeant fhall proceed to fell 
 ib much of the fame effects at public vendue to 
 the higefl bidder for ready money as will an- 
 fwer and pay the fine, and thirty three cents 
 cofts for the ufe of the fergeant, returning the 
 overplus if any to the party who owned the 
 property fo diflrained, gnd the fergeant fhall 
 pay the fine fo levied as foon as may be into 
 the hands of the captain or fenior fubaltern of 
 ficer prefent, as the cafe may be ? who fhall ap 
 ply the fame as by law is or fhall be directed ; 
 any thing in this or any other act or law con 
 tained to ths contrary notwithftanding. 
 
 AR. ST. CLAIBL. 
 
 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES*. 
 
 G. TURNER. 
 
 SAROENT, Secretary* 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 A LAW for regulating aiid eftablifhing the 
 militia in the territory of the United States 
 north-weft of the river Ohio J 
 
 A Law for eftablifhing general courts of quarter 
 feffions of the peace (and therein of the powers 
 of fmgle juftices), and for eftablifhing county 
 courts of common pleas, (and therein of the 
 power of fmgle judges to hear and determine up 
 on fmall debts and contracts), and alfo a law for 
 eftablifhing the office of fheriff, and for the ap 
 pointment of fheriffs 7 
 A Law eftablifhing a court of probate - 13 
 A Law fixing the terms of the general court - 15 
 A Law refpecting oaths of office - 16" 
 A Law refpecting crimes and puni foments - 17 
 A Law regulating marriages - - 38 
 A Law in addition to a law, entitled, a law for re 
 gulating and eftablifhing the militia, &c. - 30 
 A Law appointing coVoners - 32 
 A Law limiting the times of commencing civil 
 
 adions and infb turing criminal profecutions 33 
 
 An Act to prohibit the giving or felling intoxicat 
 ing liquors to Indians, and for preventing fo 
 reigners from trading with them - 34 
 An Act prohibiting the fale of Ipiritous and other 
 intoxicating liquors to foldiers, and to prevent 
 the felling or pawning of arms, &c. - 3^ 
 An Act for fupprefling and prohibiting every fpe*- 
 cies of gaming for money, &c. and for making 
 void all contract* and payments in confequence 
 thereof, and alfo for reft raining the diforderly 
 practice of difcharging fire-arms at certain hours 
 and places - ... 38 
 An Act to alter the terms of the general court - 44 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 An Aft to augment the terms of the county courts 
 of common pleas from two to four terms in the 
 year, and to increafe the number of judges of 
 the faid court, and alfo of the juftices of the 
 quorum in the feveral counties 45 
 
 An Aft to authorize and require the courts of ge 
 neral felfions of the peace, to divide the counties 
 into townfhips, and to alter the boundaries of 
 the fame when neceffary ; and alfo to appoint 
 conftables, overfeers of the poor, and clerks of 
 the townfhips, &c. 47 
 
 An Aft fnpplementary to a law, entitled, " A 
 law refpefting crimes and punifhments" - 52 
 
 An Aft for the pnnifliment of perfons tearing or 
 defacing publications fet up by authority - 53 
 
 An Aft creating the office of clerk of the legifla- 
 ture 55 
 
 An Aft for rendering authentic as evidence in the 
 courts of thrs territory, the public afts, records, 
 and judicial proceedings in the* courts of the 
 United States - - " " 57 
 
 An Aft abolifhing the diftinftion between the 
 crimes of murder and petit treafon - - 58 
 
 An Aft regulating the enclofures of grounds 59 
 
 An Aft to alter and amend the militia laws 66 
 
HOOTOAf AWW 
 JO XJIO