CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, OCTOBER, 1776.

CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY.

Acts and Resolutions passed at a General Assembly of the Governour and Company of the State of CONNECTICUT, holden at NEW-HAVEN, on the second THURSDAY of October, 1776.

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

Whereas George the Third, King of Great Britain, hath unjustly levied war against this and the other United States of America, declared them out of his protection, and abdicated the government of this State, whereby the good people of this State are absolved from their allegiance and subjection to the Crown of Great Britain : And whereas the Representatives of the said United States, in General Congress assembled, have published and declared that these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, and that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown :

Resolved by this Assembly, That they approve of the Declaration of Independence, published by said Congress, and that this Colony is, and of right ought to be, a free and independent State ; and the inhabitants thereof are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown ; and all political connection between them and the King of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

And be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the form of civil government in this State shall continue to be as established by charter received from Charles the Second, King of England, so far as an adherence to the same shall be consistent with an absolute independence of this State on the Crown of Great Britain, and that all officers, civil and military, heretofore appointed by this State, continue in the execution of their several offices, and the laws of this State shall continue in force until otherwise ordered ; and that for the future all writs and processes in law or equity shall issue in the name of the Governour and Company of the State of Connecticut, and that in all summonses, attachments, and other processes, before any Assistant, or Justice of the Peace, the words "one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace," be omitted, and that instead thereof be inserted, "Justice of the Peace ;" and that no writ of process shall have or bear any date save the year of our Lord Christ only, any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. And that the act in alteration of an act prescribing forms of writs, processes, &c., be repealed, and the same is hereby repealed.

AN ACT FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF HIGH TREASON AND OTHER ATROCIOUS CRIMES AGAINST THE STATE.

Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That if any person or persons belonging to, or residing within this State, and under protection of its laws, shall levy war against the State or Government thereof, or knowingly and willingly shall aid or assist any enemies at open war against this State, or the United States of America, by joining their Armies, or by inlisting, or procuring or persuading others to inlist for that purpose : or by furnishing such enemies with arms or ammunition, provision, or any other articles for their aid or comfort, or by carrying on a treacherous correspondence with them, or shall form, or be any way concerned in forming any combination, plot, or conspiracy for betraying this State, or the United States, into the hands or power of any foreign enemy, or shall give, or attempt to give or send any intelligence to the enemies of this State for that purpose, every person so offending, and being thereof convicted, shall suffer death.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall endeavour to join the enemies of this State, or of the United States, or use their influence to persuade or induce any person or persons to join, aid, comfort, or assist them in any way or manner whatsoever, or shall have knowledge of any person or persons endeavouring or using their influence aforesaid, and shall conceal the same, shall be punished by fine according to the nature of his offence, and shall be imprisoned at the judgment of the Superiour Court, in any of the jails in this State, not exceeding ten years.

AN ACT FOR PRESCRIBING AND ENJOINING AN OATH OF FIDELITY TO THE STATE.

Whereas the King of Great Britain hath abdicated the government of this and the other United States of America, by putting them out of his protection, and unjustly levying war against them ; and the said United States by their Representatives in General Congress assembled, by a Declaration bearing date the fourth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, for the reasons therein mentioned, solemnly declared that the United Colonies of North America are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; which Declaration is approved by this Assembly : Wherefore it is expedient for the security of this State, that an oath of fidelity be taken by the freemen and officers thereof :

Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That all the Members of the General Assembly and other officers, civil and military, and freemen, within this State of Connecticut, shall take the following oath, viz : "You, A. B., do swear by the ever-living God, that you will well, truly, and faithfully adhere to and maintain the Government established in this State under the authority of the people, agreeable to the laws in force within the same ; and that you believe in your conscience that the King of Great Britain hath not, nor of right ought to have, any authority or dominion in or over this State ; and that you do not hold yourself bound to yield any allegiance or obedience to him within the same ; and that you will to the utmost of your power maintain and defend the freedom, independence, and privileges of this State, against all open enemies or traitorous conspiracies whatsoever. So help you God."

And no person shall have authority to execute any of the offices aforesaid, after the first day of January next, until he hath taken said oath. And all persons who hereafter shall be appointed to any of said offices shall take said oath before they enter on the execution of their offices. And no freeman within this State shall be allowed to vote in the election of any of the officers of Government until he hath taken the aforesaid oath, in the open freemen's meeting in the town where he dwells ; and the names of all freemen who take said oath shall be enrolled by the Town Clerk in the records of the town, which oath shall be administered by a Magistrate or Justice of Peace.

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE PUBLICATION OF CERTAIN ACTS.

Resolved, That Colonel Seymour, Mr. Bishop, Major Hillhouse, and Rufus Lathrop, Esq., be a Committee to procure a copy of the act passed relating to High Treason, &c., also the copy of one other act relating to the Oath of Fidelity, &c., and deliver the copies to the several printers in this State, and procure the same to be published in the several newspapers.

AN ACT FOR SUPPORTING THE CREDIT AND CURRENCY OF THE BILLS OF CREDIT EMITTED AND MADE CURRENT BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE BILLS OF PUBLICK CREDIT OF THIS STATE.

Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the Bills of Credit emitted and made current by the authority of the General Assembly of this State, and those emitted by the United States of America, shall be a legal tender as money in all payments within this State.

And whereas some evil-minded persons, inimical to the liberties of the United States of America, have endeavoured to depreciate the Bills of Credit of this and the said United States : Which to prevent :

Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person within this State shall attempt to depreciate or undervalue any of the Bills of Credit aforesaid, by offering, demanding, or receiving more in any of said bills in exchange for Spanish milled dollars, or other coins of gold or silver, or bullion, than the nominal value or amount thereof, as stated in said bills, computing a Spanish milled dollar at six shillings lawful money, and other coins of gold