Travels Through North America 



ernor. No assistant, or representative, is allowed 

 any salary or pay for his attendance or service. 



There are several courts of judicature. The as- 

 sembly nominates annually so many justices for each 

 township, as are deemed necessary. These have 

 power to join people in matrimony, and to exercise 

 other acts of authority usually granted to this order 

 of magistrates. Any two of them may hear causes 

 concerning small debts and trespasses; and three 

 may try criminals for thefts, not exceeding ten pounds 

 currency. Appeals in civil causes are allowed to 

 the inferior courts of common-pleas; in criminal 

 ones to the sessions of the peace; and in these the 

 determinations are final. The sessions are held in 

 each county twice every year by five or more justices; 

 they adjudge all matters relating to the preservation 

 of the peace, and the punishment of criminals, ex- 

 cept in cases of death. Appeals are allowed from 

 this court, in all causes that have originated in it, to 

 the superior one. The inferior courts of common- 

 pleas sit twice every year in each county, and are held 

 by three or more justices. They take cognizance of 

 all civil causes whatsoever, triable at common law; 

 and if any one thinks himself aggrieved here, he may 

 appeal to the superior one; which is held also annu- 

 ally twice in each county, by three judges, and which 

 exercises all the authority of a court of king's-bench, 

 common-pleas, and exchequer. The dernier resort 

 is to the king in council, but this only in cases of 



[126] 



