cent. ; under a penalty of forfeiting treble the value of the goods, wares, etc., taken, and the contract to be utterly void. This act seems to have continued in force until 1704, when the present statute was passed. It is substantially the same as the former, and has con- tinued, without alteration, from its passage to the present day,^ except only as to the treble forfeiture clause, which was repealed in March, 1846.^ " By a law of the Colony of Massachusetts, 1461, it is declared, that no man shall be adjudged for the mere forbearance of any debt above eight pounds in 1 Eev. Stat., Maine, p. 317, edit. 1840; Rev. Stat., Maine, p. 323, edit. 1857.
" 1 Dorse]/, Laws of Maryland, p. 5, edit. 1840. » Ses. Laws of 1846, ch. 352, § 5.
MASSACHUSETTS. 77 the hundred for one year, and not above that rate, proportionably, for all sums whatsoever, bills of ex- change excepted ; neither shall this be a colour or countenance to allow any usury amongst us contrary to the law of God."^ In 1693 this act was repealed, and interest reduced to six per cent. ; and contracts reserving more were utterly void, and the parties declared