ACT XIV.

The 24th of Ffebruary was enacted this followinge Order for the Mynisters, viz:

Further allowance to

ministers.

and pigs.

THE governor and counsell togeather with the burgisses in this present grand assembly, uppon the petition of the mynisters within this colony, have taken into theire consideration by what way theire might be a sufficient meanes allowed unto the said mynisters for theire better subsistance and encouragement in their mynistrie; and thereuppon have ordeyned and enacted that there shall be payd unto the sayd mynisters the former allowance of 10lb. of tobaccoe and a bushell of corne, in such manner as formerlie hath beene done; and because of the lowe rates of tobacco at this present It is further graunted and ordered, that theire shal be Tithes of likewise due to the mynisters from the first day of calves, kids, March next ensuinge the 20th calfe, the 20th kidd of goates, and the 20th pigge, throughout all plantations within this colony; and that theire may arise no difficultie nor controversie in the payment of this new allowance of meanes. It is thought fitt and ordered, That How set ont. where any parishioners shall not have the complete nomber of 20 calves, kidds or piggs then the nomber which hath fallen att the feast of Easter shal be praysed and rated betweene the mynisters and one or more of his parishioners, and the 20th part thereof allowed to the mynister proportionably; but yf it fall out the number of calves, kidds or piggs arise to twenty then the owner is to choose five out of the sayd nomber and the mynister to make his choyse in the sixt place, and it is thought fitt that the owners keepe the sayd calves, kidds, or piggs untill the tyme that they bee weaneable, that is to say, for calves the owner to keepe them 7 weekes, and kidds likewise 7 weeks and piggs a month. And the parishioners are to give notice to the mynisters How collected. when they shall fetch theire calves, kidds, or piggs that be due unto them. And this act to continue in force, Limitation of untill the next meetinge of the grand assembly, at which tyme theire may fall out just cause of alteration either by the advancement of tobacco or some other meanes, for that formerlie the ancient allowance of 10lb of tobacco and a bushell of corne hath beene a sufficient proportion for theire maynteynance in their callinge,

How long to the owners.

be kept by

this act.

Fees of ministers.

It is likewise ordered, That the mynister shall have these petty duties as followeth, viz:

How the for

to be collected.

It is ordered, That uppon the 25th day of October mer allowance if it be not Sunday, and then the day followinge, the church-wardens shall give notice to the parishoners that they bringe in the dutie of 10 lb of tobacco for the inynisters unto a place to be appoynted within that plantation by the sayd church-wardens, and that the mynister bee warned to be there or appoynt some other to receive the same. And it is likewise ordered, That the dutie of a bushell of corne be brought in uppon the 19th day of December to the place appoynted within that plantation by the mynister. And no planter or parishoner may neglect the bringinge of the tobacco, or corne uppon the penalty that yf any make dePenalty for fault they shall forfeit double the quantitie of the tobacnon-payment. co and corne to be levied by distresse by authoritie from the commander; and likewise, by distresse, all arrearages of tobaccoe and corn due to the myuisters as duties shall or may be recovered by virtue of this order of this assembly. And yf the church-wardens shall fayle in the execution of theire office hereby inioyned then the commander shall take order that it be levied by distresse out of the church-wardens' goods and chattells.

Church-war

dens failing in

their duty to be liable them

selves

Churches to be built and re

paired.

ACT XV.

IT is ordeyned and enacted that in ail such places. where any churches are wantinge, or decayed, the inhabitants shall be tyed to contribute towards the buildinge of a church, or repayringe any decayed church, the commissioners, togcather with the mynisters, church-wardens and chiefe of the parish to appoynt both the most convenient place for all parts to assemble togeather, and also to hire and procure any workeman, and order such necessaries as are requisite to be done in such workès. This they are to effect be

commission

fore the feast of the nativitie of our Saviour Christ, or Penalty on else the sayd commissioners, yf they be deficient in ers for neglect. theire duties, to forfeit 501. in money, to be imployed as the whole bodie of the Assembly shall dispose.

And it is ordered in like manner, That theire be a Burying certayne portion of ground appoynted out, and impal- ground. ed or fenced in (uppon the penalty of twenty Marques) to be for the buriall of the dead.

ACT XVI.

having failed of vines, not be permitted tobacco.

in the culture

to

to plant any

UPON a remonstrance preferr'd to the assembly, Frenchman complayninge that the ffrenchmen who were, about ten yeares since, transported into this country for the plantinge and dressinge of vynes, and to instruct others in the same, have willinglie concealed the skill, and not only neglected to plant any vynes themselves, but have also spoyled and ruinated that vyniard, which was, with great cost, planted by the charge of the late company and theire officers here; and yet notwithstandinge have receaved all favour and encouragement thereunto, which hath dishartened all the inhabitants here, It is therefore ordered that the sayd ffrenchmen, togeather Penalty. with theire families, be restrayned and prohibited from plantinge tobacco, uppon penaltie to forfeit theire leases, and imprisonment untill they will depart out of this colony.

ACT XVII.

Proportion of vines to be inhabitants.

planted by the

AND it is provided and ordered, That all workers uppon corne and tobacco shall this springe, before the 25th day of March, plant five vyne plants per pol, and the next yeare, before the first day of March, 20 per pol, uppon penaltie to forfeite one barrell of corne for every one that shall make default, halfe to be to Penalty for him that shall make information thereof, and the other neglect. halfe to publique uses. And the commissioners for

the mounthlie corts established in divers parts of this How inflicted. colony shall have full power to heare and determyne

this matter.

W

Council and burgesses to attend divine service, at

beat of drum.

Penalty for neglect.

Duration of this act.

ACT XVIII.

IT is ordered, that all the counsell and burgisses of the assembly shall, in the morninge, be present at devine service, in the roome where they sitt, at the third beatinge of the drum, an hower after sun rise, uppon the penaltie of one shillinge to the benefitt of the marshall at James Citty; and yf any shall absent himselfe from the assembly, to pay 2s. 6d. to the same use; and yf any shall after neglect, to be fined by the whole bodie of the assembly. And this act to continue in force untill the assembly shall see cause to revoke it.

Tobacco not to be bartered

cept for

country produce, at less than 6d. per pound on the prime cost.

ACT XIX.

AND it is further ordeyned and enacted by the asfor goods ex- sembly, That no person or persons, after the publication or notice hereof, doe buy or cause to be bought, any marchandize, goods, or any other thinge whatsoever, exceptinge cattle, goates, hoggs, poultrey, or any houshould stuffe, corne, hides or any commodities that is, or shall be raysed here, or make any contract, bargayne or promise for the havinge or buyinge of the same, or any part thereof, in exchange for the commoditie of tobacco, directlie or indirectlie allowinge under the rate of 6d. per lb. for every pound of tobacco, as the goods first cost in England, bona fide, Penalty for uppon penalty to have or suffer, for his or theire first offence, imprisonment by the space of 2 mounthes without bayle or maynprize, and shall also loose and forfeite the value of the sayd marchandize or goods soe by him or them bought or had as aforesayd.

the first of

fence.

For the second offence.

For the 3d offence.

And yf any person lawfully convicted or attaynted of and for the sayd offence, be thereof agayne lawfully convicted or attaynted that then every person or persons soe offendinge, shall have and suffer for his second offence, imprisonment by the space of one halfe yeare without bayle or maynprize; and shall loose duble the value of all the goods and marchandize soe by him bought or had, as aforesayd.

And yf any person beinge lawfully twice convicted or attaynted of and for the sayd offences, and the third tyme be thereof lawfully convicted and attaynted, that

then every such person for the sayd third offence shall be sett on the pillory in the place where he shall then dwell or inhabite and loose and forfeite all the goods and cattle that he or they have to theire owne use, and also to be committed to prison there to remayne duringe the governor's pleasure; Provided that the com- Limitation of playnt be made within 12 mounthes after the fact mitted.

com

the prosecution.

ers of the monthly courts to hear and determine on the above of

fences.

And be it further ordered, That the commissioners Commissionat the mountlie corts in all places of the country now established, shall have full power and authoritie by vertue of this act to enquire, heere, and determyne all and every the defaults and offences perpetrated, committed and done contrary to this act; and to make proces agaynst the offenders as the governor and counsell use to doe in such cases; Provided alwayes, that the sayd Proceedings corts doe, in this, as in all other matters, send the the governor true coppies of theire proceedinge to the governor and and council. counsell at theire next sessions of theire quarter corts at James Citty.

to be sent to

ACT XX.

The first of March, 1631-2.

Vessels re:

stricted to the port of James

WHEREAS nothinge can more conduce to the welfare of this colony, then that some efectuall course be taken in the trade of our tobacco, as well to mo- City. derate the excessive plantinge as to devise some meanes for betteringe the qualitie, It is ordeyned and assented by the Governor and Counsell, togeather with the Burgisses of this present Grand Assembly, That every shipp arivinge in this colony from England, or any other parts, shall, with the first winde and weather, sayle upp to the porte of James Citty and not to unlade any goods or breake any bulke before she shall cast anchor there, uppon payne that the captayne and mayster of the sayd shipp shall forfeite the sayd goods or the value thereof, and shall have and suffer one mounthes imprisonment; the one halfe of which forfeiture shall be to him or them that will or shall sue for the same, in any cort of record within this colony, and the other halfe to publique uses to be yearlie disposed by the Assembly.