6]p'e?C"iN"G 6f "parliament.** ^"i"? 



them to convoke a General Assembly. The number who voted 

 in 1861, was 4,351. 



The common law is the foundation of the jurisprudence of the 

 colony, but the amendments introduced from time to time in 

 England have been generally adopted without delay. In 1848, 

 the Attorney General was made public prosecutor, and it was 

 provided that in all civil cases, and in all but capital criminal 

 cases, the verdict of two-thirds of the petty jury might be taken, 

 and that in capital cases two-thirds might acquit but not convict. 



We confess that Ave had a curiosity to witness the ceremonies 

 attending the opening of a "parliament" possessing certain 

 limited legislative powers over such a large number of islands, 

 inhabited and otherwise. 



To secure favorable seats, we went early to the Council Cham- 

 ber. One o'clock, p. m., was the hour appointed for the services 

 to commence. Our little piece of pasteboard was duly respected 

 and honored by the colored officials who guarded the approaches 

 to the Council Hall. 



This hall is unpretentious, and can seat comfortably about 150 

 persons. It has windows on tbree sides. At one end of it was 

 a platform slightly raised above the main uncarpeted floor, with 

 its own backing all draped with red bunting, and surmountec^by 

 the red cross of St. George. Upon this platform stood the chair 

 of the presiding officer. 



The sound of martial music in the street as the hour of one 

 approached, was quickly followed b}' the entrance into the hall 

 of the members of the upper house. They were mostly not far 

 from seventy years of age, intelligent looking, and had every 

 appearance of being the riglit men in the right place. To see 

 them was to have confidence in them. No Connecticut Senate 

 ever impressed us more favorably. They occupied arm chairs 

 Avith high backs, upholstered with leather, near to and in front 

 of the president's chair. 



H 



