The laws of Jamaica passed by the assembly, and confirmed by His majesty in council, Feb. 23. 1683 : to which is added, A short account of the island and government thereof, with an exact map of the island.

An ACT Angainst Blasphemy, and for pre∣venting Disorders in Ale-Houses, Taverns, and Victualling-Houses.

BE it Enacted and Ordained by the Governour, Council, and As∣sembly, and it is Enacted and Or∣dained by the Authority of the same, That no Person or Persons whatsoever in this Island be enabled to have and receive any License or Licenses from the Governour for the time being to Retail any strong Liquors, unless they bring Yearly Certificates under the Hands of two of the Justices of the Peace living in the same Precincts, where the said Person keeps, or in∣tends to set up his House of Enter∣tainment, and have also given good Security in the Secretaries Office of

One Hundred Pounds that he shall suffer no Disorders to be committed in his said House, or any thing there done contrary to the Laws of Eng∣land or of this Island, and that no Persons whatsoever presume to sell Rum or Rum-punch or any other Mixture of Rum without License first obtained from the Justices in Sessions, and Security given to the Clerk of the Peace of the said Precincts, un∣der the Penalty of Forty shillings for every such Offence.

Provided always, and it is hereby further Enacted and Ordained, That whatsoever Person so Licensed as aforesaid, shall Entertain or Receive any one in their Houses, to Tipple or Drink in the time of Divine Worship or Service, shall forfeit Twenty shil∣lings for every such Offence, and the Person or Persons there so found, shall pay each of them five shillings, both which Forfeitures shall be levyed by Distress by Warrant from any Ju∣stice of the Peace within this Island,

and whosoever shall by Publick and open Profaness or Blasphemy Disho∣nour Almighty God, and be thereof duly Convicted in the Supream Court of Judicature, shall be Fined Twenty pounds Currant Money of this Island, or more, at the Discretion of the Court for every such Offence, and that such as are either Servants or not worth so much, shall be lyable to such Corporeal Punishment, as the Judges shall think meet, loss of Life and Limb only excepted.

And it is further Enacted, That if any of the said Persons, so having received Licenses as aforesaid, shall keep or suffer any Common Gaming in their Houses, they shall forfeit Ten pounds Currant Money of this Island; and whosoever shall by false Dice or other Fraud or Deceit win any Money or other things shall forfeit treble the value thereof, being Convicted by Verdict, Confession, or otherwise, and that no Sum exceeding forty shil∣lings won at any Game, or betting

on the side of any, shall be recover∣able, and all Bonds, Contracts, and Securities whatsoever for above the Sum aforesaid, won as aforesaid, shall be void. Provided nevertheless, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed or construed to hinder or abridge any Maker of Rum, but that by himself, Servants, or others, he may vend and sell the same pure and unmixt, any thing in this Act to the contrary in any wise notwithstand∣ing.

Provided also, That the aforesaid Penalties mentioned in this Act, and not declared where they shall be Re∣covered, or how Disposed of, be one half to Our Soveraign Lord the King, for and towards the Support of the Government of this Island, and the Contingent Charges thereof, the other to the Informer, who shall sue for the same in any Court of Record within this Island, wherein no Essoign, Pro∣tection, Injunction, or Wager of Law shall be allowed.