52 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



Towns and villages elect yearly their Constables,* 

 and also three or more honorable and intelligent free- 

 holders before whom the residents bring their reason- 

 able or imaginary troubles, in the matter of unfair taxa- 

 tion, and must abide by the decision rendered without 

 further appeal. All criminal offenders have, in regard 

 to witnesses and counsellors, the same rights and privi- 

 leges as their prosecutors. Every man has the liberty 

 of serving God according to his own will and con- 

 science. No man can be compelled to any sort of 

 worship. No man can be forced to pay tithes, taxes, or 

 other levies for the building or maintenance of any 

 church or house of worship soever, or for the support 

 of ministers, except as he himself is willing. 



No religious sect is to be given preference over any 

 other. No Protestant is to be denied any civil right or 

 liberty on the ground of his religion, but all persons of 

 whatever protestant sect, who peaceably conform to 

 this mode of government, are eligible for election to 

 any magisterial or other office. To obviate all suspicion 

 of extraordinary influence or corruption on the part 

 of the legislative assemblies, no Judge of the Superior 

 or Inferior Courts, no Sheriff or other person holding 

 lucrative office under the government, shall be admitted 

 a member of the Assembly ; and if such person is elected 

 his former post is to be regarded as vacant. 



* Subordinate officers whose duty it is to see to the keeping 

 of the peace in their districts, and to arrest and bring to jail 

 all criminals, debtors &c. 



