Daily National Intelligencer

THE OLDEN TIME,

Or early Records of Connecticut.

FROM THE HARTFORD MIRROR.

WATCH.

For a long period after the settlement of this town, the inhabitants were obliged to keep a constant watch, both night and day, against the artful manoeuvres and sudden attacks of the Indians. The following is one of the many orders of the General Court upon this subject. It is but twenty or thirty years since two aged lofty elms were standing in this city, which were used nearly two centuries ago, as stations for the watch. One of them stood four or five rods south of the south meeting-house, and the other in the north part of the city, on the corner of Main and Burr-streets. The tradition respecting this subject is, that the sentinels were stationed in the tops of these trees, and that their great height enabled them to overlook and command an extensive view of the surrounding country.

General Court, 1640.

It is ordered that there shall be a sufficient Watch maintained in every town, and that every constable of each town shall duly warn the same, and see that the inhabitants or residents do severally in their turn observe the same, according as the inhabitants do agree.

Banns of Matrimony.

For as much as many persons involve themselves by rash and inconsiderate contracts for their future joining in marriage covenant, to the great trouble and grief of themselves and their friends—for the avoiding whereof it is ordered, that whosoever intend to join themselves in marriage covenant, shall cause that their purpose of contract be published in some public place, and at some public meeting in the several towns where such persons dwell, at least eight days before they enter into such contract, whereby they engage themselves each to the other, and that they shall forbear to join in marriage covenant at least eight days after.

Dutchmen's Cattle

Whereas the Dutch cattle are impounded for trespassing on the Englishmen's corn, it is the judgment of the Court that the Dutchmen shall be made acquainted with the trespass, and satisfaction demanded, the which if they refuse to pay, the cattle are to be kept in pound three days, and then to be prized and sold, and the trespass to be satisfied, together with charges of impounding, keeping, and tending to said cattle during their custody.

Incapacity.

Mr. Michell, for undertaking the office of town clerk or recorder, notwithstanding his incapacity of that office, by sentence of Court he is fined to pay the country twenty nobles, and for part of the town of Weathersfield, who chose the said Mr. Michell to office, notwithstanding the censure of the Court, are fined to the country four pounds.

An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

For as much as our lenity and gentleness towards Indians hath made them grow bold and insolent, to enter into Englishmen's houses, and, unadvisedly handle swords and pieces, and other instruments, many times to the hazard of the limbs or lives of English or Indians, and also to steal divers goods out of such houses where they resort: For the prevention of such mischief, it is ordered, that whatsoever Indian shall hereafter meddle with or handle any Englishman's weapons of any sort, either in their houses or in the fields, they shall forfeit for every such default a certain quantity of wampum, and if any hurt or injury shall thereupon follow to any person's life or limb, (except accidentally,) they shall pay life for life, limb for limb, wound for wound, and shall pay for the healing those wounds and other damages, and for every thing they steal, to pay double, and suffer such further punishment as the magistrate shall adjudge them.

Tobacco.

It is ordered that no person or persons within this jurisdiction, shall use any other tobacco but such as is or shall be planted within these liberties shall forfeit for every pound so used 5 shillings, except they have licence from the Court.

Agriculture and Manufactures.

Whereas it is observed that many skins and fells of cows and goats, through want of provident preserving and seasonable bringing forth to dressing, suffer great loss—it is ordered, that whatsoever skins are or shall be in any man's hands within these liberties, shall be carefully preserved and seasonably brought to such as improve them, upon such penalty as the Court shall inflict upon the neglect thereof, and that care be taken in flaying the skins, the neglect whereof occasioneth great loss.

Circulating medium.

It is ordered that country rates yet behind unpaid, shall be accepted by Mr. Treasurer in merchantable Indian corn, at 3 shilling per bushell.

It is also ordered that whatsoever debts shall be made within the liberties of the plantations after the publishing of this order, either by labour of men, or cattle, or contracts for commodities, it shall be lawful for the buyer or hirer to pay it in merchantable Indian corn, at three shillings and four pence the bushel.

It is ordered that the late order concerning wampum at six a penny shall be dissolved, and the former of four a penny in the shilling shall be established.

Lying.

Mr. Webster and Mr. Phelps, are desired to consult with the elders of both plantations to prepare instructions against the next Court, for the punishing the sin of lying, which begins to be practised by many persons in this commonwealth.

Extravagance.

Notwithstanding the late order concerning the excess of apparel, yet divers persons of several ranks are observed still to exceed therein. It is therefore ordered that the constables of every town within these liberties, shall observe and take notice of any particular person or persons within their several limits, and all such as they judge to exceed their condition and rank therein, they shall present and warn to appear at the particular Court, as also the said constables are to present to the said Court all such persons as sell their commodities at excessive rates, and the said Court hath power to censure any disorders in the particular before mentioned.

A dilemma.

Whereas it was ordered that every family should plant a spoonful hemp seed at a foot distant every seed—upon complaint that the said seed cannot be procured, it is ordered that such persons who have about a spoonful, and deny to sell to others that are unprovided, they shall plant so many spoonfuls themselves according to the said order, as they deny to sell to others that want, and desire to buy of them at a reasonable rate.