THOMAS JOHNSON, Esq; Governor.
be, disclose and make the same known to the governor, or some one of
the judges
or justices of this state for the time being, such person, on conviction
thereof
in the general court, shall be adjudged guilty of a misprison of treason,
and shall
forfeit all the estate which he had, at the time of the commission
of the crime,
to the use of this state. |
1777.
CHAP.
XX. |
IV. And be it
enacted, That if any subject or inhabitant of this state shall,
by
any word, open deed, writing, printing, or other act, advisedly and
willingly declare,
affirm, maintain or defend, that the king or parliament of Great-Britain
hath any authority, power or jurisdiction, in or over the United States,
or any of
them, or that any allegiance is due from any of the subjects or inhabitants
of the
United States, or any of them, to the king of Great-Britain, his heirs
or successors,
or shall wickedly, corruptly or seditiously, persuade or entice any
of the subjects
or inhabitants of this state, to return to or acknowledge any dependence
on
the crown and parliament of Great-Britain, or to own any allegiance
or obedience
to the King of Great-Britain, his heirs or successors, and shall be
thereof convicted
in the general court, such person shall be fined not exceeding ten
thousand
pounds current money, or be banished this state for ever. |
Fine for
maintaining
the authority
of the king of
Great-Britain,
&c. |
V. And be it
enacted, That if any subject or inhabitant of this state shall,
by
any word, open deed, writing, printing, or other act, persuade or excite
any of the
inhabitants of this state to resist the present government thereof
by force, or to
oppose, or in any manner obstruct, with force, the execution of any
of the laws
of this state, such person, being convicted thereof in the general
court, shall be
fined not exceeding two thousand pounds current money, and be imprisoned
not
more than two years, in the discretion of the court. |
For persuading
persons to
resist the present
government,
&c. |
VI. And be it
enacted, That if any subject or inhabitant of this state shall
know of any intention, design or attempt, to commit any of the crimes
declared
by this act to be treason against this state, and shall not reveal
the same, as soon
as conveniently may be, to the governor, or some one of the judges
or justices of
this state for the time being, such person, on conviction thereof in
the general
court, shall be fined not exceeding one thousand pounds current money,
and imprisoned
not more than one year, in the discretion of the court. |
For concealing
of treason. |
VII. And be
it enacted, That if any subject or inhabitant of this state, shall
advisedly and maliciously, with an intention to obstruct the service,
dissuade, discourage
or obstruct, any person from enlisting or engaging on the army or navy
of
the United States, or any of them, such person, on conviction thereof
in the general
court, shall be fined not exceeding one thousand pounds current money,
in the
discretion of the court. |
For dissuading
persons
from enlisting,
&c. |
VIII. And be
it enacted, That if any subject or inhabitant of this state shall,
by any word, open deed, writing, printing, or other act, wickedly,
corruptly or
seditiously, dissuade, discourage or terrify, any of the people of
this state from supporting
the independency of the United States, or any of them, or shall directly
or indirectly endeavour to support or justify the measures taken by
the
king and parliament of Great-Britain against the United States, or
any of
them, and shall be thereof convicted in the general court, such person
shall
be fined not exceeding one thousand pounds current money, in the discretion
of
the court. |
For discouraging
persons
from supporting
independence,
&c. |
IX. And be it
enacted, That if any subject or inhabitant of this state, shall
write or convey any letter, or send or carry any message, to any person
employed
in the service of Great-Britain against the United States, or any of them,
without
the leave of the governor of this state, or some one of the general officers
of the
army of the United States, or shall knowingly receive or bring any letter
or message
from any such person, and shall not deliver or communicate the same, as
soon as conveniently may be, to the governor, or some one of the judges
or justices
of the peace within this state, and shall be thereof convicted in any county |
And for corresponding
with enemies,
&c. |
X x
|
 |
