FIRST FRAME OF GOVERNMENT. 27 



and they shall be dismissed af all places of trust, and be publicly dis- 

 graced as false men. 



XXII. That there shall be a register for births, marriages, burials, 

 wills, and letters of administration, distinct from the other registry, 



XXIII. That there shall be a register for all servants, where their 

 names, time, wages, and days of payment shall be registered. 



XXIV. That all lands and goods of felons shall be liable, to make 

 satisfaction to the party wronged twice the value ; and for want of lands 

 or goods, the felons shall be bondmen to work in the common prison, or 

 work-house, or otherwise, till the party injured be satisfied. 



XXV. That the estates of capital oft'enders, as traitors and murderers, 

 shall go, one-third to the next of kin to the sufferer, and the remainder 

 to the next of kin to the criminal. 



XXVI. That all witnesses, coming, or called, to testify their know- 

 ledge in or to any matter or thing, in any court, or before any lawful 

 authority, within the said province, shall there give or deliver in their 

 evidence, or testimony, by solemnly promising to speak the truth, the 

 whole truth, and nothing but the truth, to the matter, or thing in ques- 

 tion. And in case any person so called to evidence, shall be convicted 

 of wilful falsehood, such person shall suffer and undergo such damage or 

 penalty, as the person, or persons, against whom he or she bore false wit- 

 ness, did, or should, undergo ; and shall also make satisfaction to the party 

 wronged, and be publicly exposed as a false witness, never to be credited 

 in any court, or before any Magistrate, in the said province. 



XXVII. And, to the end that all officers chosen to serve within this 

 province, may, with more care and diligence, answer the trust reposed in 

 them, it is agreed, that no such person shall enjoy more than one public 

 office, at one time. 



XXVIII. That all children, within this province, of the age of twelve 

 years, shall be taught some useful trade or skill, to the end none may be 

 idle, but the poor may work to live, and the rich, if they become poor, 

 may not want. 



XXIX. That servants be not kept longer than their time, and such as 

 are careful, be both justly and kindly used in their service, and put in 

 fitting equipage at the expiration thereof, according to custom. 



XXX. That all scandalous and malicious reporters, backbiters, de- 

 famers and spreaders of fiilse news, whether against Magistrates, or pri- 

 vate persons, shall be accordingly severely punished, as enemies to the 

 peace and concord of this province. 



XXXI. That for the encouragement of the planters and traders in this 

 province, who are incorporated into a society, the patent granted to them 

 by William Pmn, Governor of the said province, is hereby ratified and 

 confirmed. 



