PREFACE.

THE General and Supplementary Statutes now amount to over 2,600 pages. I have endeavored to select all the more important provisions, passing by all matters of form, or of temporary or local interest, and much that concerns the duties of particular officers, and is of interest to them only. I have thus given a general view of the laws, indicating the subjects treated, the manner of their treatment; in short, all matters which are needed in the ordinary business of life. In matters of difficulty or importance, nothing can be a substitute for the official volumes. So far as practicable the language of the original laws is used. The divisions and titles of the General Statutes are retained, and subsequent statutes are incorporated under them.

NOTE BY THE PUBLISHER.

SOME thirty years ago W. B. Wedgwood, Esq., prepared a similar work to this on the Revised Statutes, and several large editions of it were sold.

WHAT, in general, are the objects of government?

To secure the existence of the body politic, and by this means give the individuals who compose it their natural rights.

What is the body politic?

A social compact in which the people covenant with each citizen and each citizen with the whole people. For what purpose is it?

That the people may make sure that all shall be governed by certain laws for the common good.

When these objects are not obtained, what can be done?
The people may alter the government.

PART FIRST.

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

Ir being declared that "all men are born free and equal," what are some of their natural rights?

1. The enjoyment of life and liberty.

2. The acquisition, possession, and protection of property. In short, the pursuit of their safety and happi

ness.

1

What is the right and duty of all men in the community?

To worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe, publicly, and at stated

seasons.

Shall the subject be compelled to worship in any particular way?

The subject shall not be restrained from worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience, provided he does not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship.

What promotes the happiness and prosperity of a people, and the security of a republican government?

The public worship of God, and instruction in piety, religion, and morality.

What may all religious societies do?

1. Elect their pastor or religious teacher.

2. Contract with them for their support.

3. Raise money for erecting and repairing houses for public worship, and for the payment of all other necessary expenses.

Shall all religious sects and denominations have the same rights and protection?

They shall, if demeaning themselves peaceably, be equally under the protection of the law, and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law.

What sole and exclusive right belongs to the people of this Commonwealth?

To govern themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent State; and to forever exercise every power, jurisdiction, and right which is not or may not hereafter be by them expressly delegated to the United States of America.

To whom are all officers of the State accountable ?

To the people.

For what purpose is government instituted?

The protection, prosperity, and happiness of the people.

What rights, therefore, belong to the people only?

To institute government, to reform, alter, or totally change the same, and to cause their public officers to return to private life, at such period and in such manner as they shall establish by their frame of government, in order to prevent them from becoming oppressors; and all citizens having such qualifications as they shall establish shall have equal right to elect officers and to be elected for public employment.

What return must each individual make to the State for the protection it gives to his life, liberty, and property?

He must contribute his share of the expense of this protection, and give his personal service or an equivalent, when necessary.

Can private property be taken for public uses?

Yes, with the owner's consent or that of the representative body of the people, when the public exigencies require, and then the owner shall receive a reasonable compensation therefor.

What certain remedy ought there to be for all injuries, or wrongs to the person, property, or character?

By recourse to the law.

How ought every subject to obtain right and justice?

Freely, without being obliged to purchase it, completely and promptly, conformably to the laws.

When shall a subject be held to answer for any crimes or offences?

When they are fully and plainly, substantially and formally described to him.