" if any man be aggrieved with any thing that is done by the men that are in authoritie, that he shall have liberty to make his appeal to the next General Court, It was decreed October 1652 that

or when the freemen are assembled together for their publique occasions."

Their town Meetings were frequent and became burdensome on the people, but being their

own

law makers they made a multiplicity of laws for regulating the fences to fields pastured in common ;

making highways building a mill or meeting house & this took up much of The business of killing whales was regulated by law, and every one [was obliged to take his turn to look out for them on the shore." Their houses were thatched and liable to take fire. Every man was obliged by law to provide himself with a ladder that should reach to the top of his for division of lands ;

their time.

;

|

house, and a man was appointed to see that the chimneys were well plaistered and swept.

Severe

laws were made against selling any Indians, guns, swords, powder, lead, flints, or any more than two

drams of strong water at one time." Many of the laws appear curious, but in general they are mild, and the penalties not very severe. There are only three or four cases of corporal punishment and none of capital. In the year 1653 the Indians were somewhat troublesome. Powder & shot were sent for to the mouth of the Connecticut River, and a watch by night of two, and a ward by day of one man was