rule, in our courts of judi- cature was, that the common law of Eng- land, and the general ftatutes previous to the 4th of James, were in force here;
but that no fubfequent ftatutes were, unlefs we were named in them, faid the judges and other partifans of the crown, but named or not named^ faid thofe who reflefted freely. It will be unneceflary to attempt a defcription of the laws of England, as that may be found in Englifh publications. To thofe which were eftabliflied here, by the adoption of the legiflature, have been fmce added a number of afts of aflembly palfed during the monarchy, and ordi- nances of convention and ads of affembly enafted fmce the eftabliihment of the re- public. The following variations from the Britiili model are perhaps worthy of being fpecified.
Debtors unable to pay their debts, and making faithful delivery of their whole effefts, are releafed from confinement.
and their perfons for ever difcharged from reftraint for fuch previous debts: but any property they may afterwards acquire will be fubje£l to their creditors.
The poor, unable to fupport themfelves, are maintained by an afleffment on the tytheable perfons in their parifii. This afleffment is levied and adminiftered by twelve perfons in each parifli, called vef- trymen, originally chofen by the houfe- keepers of the parifh, but afterwards filling vacancies in their own body by their own choice. Thefe are ufually the moft difcreet farmers, fo diftributed through their parifli, that every part of it may be under the immediate eye of fome one of them. They are well ac- quainted with the details and economy of private life, and they find fufficient inducements to execute their charge well^ in their philanthropy, in the approbation of their neighbours, and the diftindion which that gives them. The poor who have neither property, friends, nor ftrength to labour, are boarded in the houfes of [ ^57 ] good farmers to