New-Haven's settling in New-England and some lawes for government / published for the use of that colony : though some of the orders intended for present convenience, may probably be hereafter altered, and as need requireth other lawes added.

Charges publick.

That publick charges may be defrayed in a ready and just way, it is Ordered by this Court, and the Authority thereof That in each Plantation within this Jurisdiction, the select or Towns

men, or some others thereunto deputed, doe yearly the first week of the third month called May, require, procure, and make a full and just List of all the male persons within their limits, from sixteen years old, and upwards; and a true estimation of all per∣sonall and reall estates, being or reputed to be the estate of all, and every the persons belonging to the Plantation, or in their pre∣sent possession, viz. of Houses, Lands of all sorts, Meadow and upland, as well unbroken up, as other (except such as doth and shall lye common for free feed of Cattel at all times to the use of the inhabitants in generall) Mills, Ships, and all small Vessels, merchantable Goods, Cranes, Wharfs, and all sorts of Cattel, and other estate (houshold stuff, and Goods of that kind, provided and kept for that use, and not for Trade, onely excepted, whether at Sea, or on shoar, with a due consideration and estimate of the advantage men may have by their severall and respective Arts, or Trades. Which List, and particular account, of males and estates in reference to Rates, shall by the Deputies chosen by each Plan∣tation, and sent to assist at the Generall Court, be presented year∣ly when they sit, in the latter end of May, under such penalty for default, as the Court considering the hindrance in the Jurisdi∣ction affaires, shall see cause to inflict. All which persons and E∣states, are to be assessed and rated, by such as are thereunto ap∣pointed, for one single rate, as followeth, viz. Every male per∣son above sixteen years of age (except Magistrates and Elders of Churches) at twenty pence by the head, and all estates both reall and personall, at one penny for every twenty shillings. And that Houses (wherein there is much difference) may be the more equally rated, according to their worth, it is Ordered, That the Deputies from the severall Plantations within this Jurisdiction now assembled at this Generall Court, doe before their return, rate two Houses in New-haven, which shal be as pattenrs for the other Plantations to rate by. That all Lands, whether Meadow, or upland, and whether the upland be better, or worse, broken up, or not, (except it lye common as before) be rated at twenty shillings an Acre, and for that a considerable part of mens estates in these parts, lyeth in Cattel, to avoyd many Questions which may grow about their age, it is Ordered, That all sorts of Cat∣tel from year to year, though any of them should not be a year old till the last of July, yet in reference to Rates, be accounted,

and pay as if they were a year old the first of May. And in like manner for two years old, or elder; and in lieu thereof, Cattel though near 3 quarters of a year old the first of May, shall not be Rated, and Cattel of a year and almost three quarters, shall be Rated but a year old, and so upward. And it is further Ordered, That till this Court find some considerable alteration in prises, every Cow of four year old (the age reckoned as before) or up∣ward, shall be Rated at five pounds, every Heifer, or Steer, three year old, reckoned as before, at four pounds; and betwixt two and three years old, at fifty shillings; and of one year old, thirty shillings. Every Ox, and Bull of four year old, or upward, at six pounds; every Horse of three year old (after the former account) or more, shall be valued at ten pounds; every Mare of three year old, or upward, at twelve pounds; those of two year old, or up∣ward, according to the former account, whether Horse, or Mares, each of them at five pounds ten shillings; and those of three quarters of a year old, or above, till they come to be a year and three quarters, shall be Rated at three pounds and ten shillings; every yew sheep of a year old, or above, at thirty shillings; eve∣ry weather sheep, or Ram, of a year old, or above, at fixteen shillings; every Goat of a year old, or above, at eight shillings; every Swine of a year old, or above, at twenty shillings; every Asse of a year old, or above at forty shillings. And all Hey, and Corn in the husbandmans hand, is hereby exempted from Rates, because all Meadow, Arrable Land, and Cattle, are Rateable as aforesaid. And for all such persons, as by the advantage of their Arts and Trades, are more enabled to bear publick charges, then common Labourers and Workmen, as Butchers, Bakers, Victu∣allers, Smiths, Carpenters, Taylors, Shoomakers Joyners, Barbers, Millers, Masons, with other Artists, such are to be rated for their returns and gaines, in proportion to other men, for the pro∣duce of their estates. Provided that in the Rate by the Poll, such persons as are disabled by sicknesse, lamenesse, or other infirmi∣ty, shall be so long exempted. And for such Servants and Chil∣dren, as take not wages, their parents and Masters shall pay for them; but such as take wages, shall pay for themselves. And it is Ordered, That all Rates assessed by this Court, be duly paid in, to the Jurisdiction Treasurer, at such time, or times, in such pay, and at such prises, as this Court shall appoint, and under such pe∣nalties

for default, as shall from time to time be Ordered. And power is hereby given and granted to each Plantation within this Jurisdiction, to gather all Rates from time to time, from the se∣verall inhabitants, as they grow due; and for want, or delay of payment in an orderly way, to distreyn within their own limits, to prevent further inconveniences. But that the Jurisdiction suf∣fer not by the neglect or delay of any Plantation, or Plantations herein, It is further Ordered, That at any time hereafter, upon the complaint of the Jurisdiction Treasurer, any Magistrate may send the Marshall alone, or with others to distreyn the Cattel, Corn, or any other Goods belonging to any of the inhabitants, within such Plantation, as shall be defective in the payment of Rates due, for the whole sum behind and unpaid, with addition of all penalties incurred, and due charges for the Marshall, and others imployed in seizing, and bringing away such distresse, eve∣ry inhabitant in such case, having liberty to require, and recover his damage, from the Plantation, or Officers, there intrusted for Civil affaires, according to Justice. Provided that if any person now, or hereafter, having taken up a Lot, or Lots in any Planta∣tion, be removed, or shall withdraw himself, and his moveable estate, or any considerable part of it, still keeping such Lot, or Lots, in his own possession, or power, without due improvement. by which means the Plantation wants his personall service, be∣sides other inconveniences, It is hereby Ordered, That in such case, every such person shall in all respects, pay his Rates by Lands only, as was Ordered, and done before Rating by heads, and estates, but in due proportion to a whole Rate, as then it was. And if the Plantation find no other means to recover the said Rates, they may distreyn Houses, or Lands, or both, upon a true account, that what advantage they shall make, by selling or let∣ting the same, or any part thereof, over and above what is due for the said Rates, with just damages, and necessary charges, shall be returned to the Owner, if he demand the same, within three years.