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Show R H 0 D E I S · A N D. ed neceffary. Thefe have power to join people in matr.imony, and to exercife other atls of authority ufually granted to this order of magifl:rate~. Any two of them may hear caufes concernina fmall debts and trefpa!fes; and three may even try 0 criminals for thefts, not exceeding ten pounds currency. Ap-peals in civil caufes are allowed to the inferior court of common- pleas ; in criminal ones to the feffions of the peace; and in thefe the-determinations are final. The feflions are held i11 each county twice every year by five or more ju!lices; they adjudge all matters relative to the prefervation of the pea~e, and the puniiliment of criminals, except in cafes of death. Appeals are allowed from this court in all caufes that have originated in it, to the fuperior one. The inferior courts of common- pleas fit twice every year in each county, and are held by three or more j uflices. They take cognizance of all civil caufes whatfocver, triable at common law; and if any one thinks himfelf aggrieved here, he may appeal to the fuperior one; which is held alfo annually twice in each county, by three judges, and exercifes all the authority of a court of king'sbench, common- pleas, and exchequer. The dernier refort is to the king in council, but this only in cafes of 300 I. value, new tenor. The people have the power of pardoning criminals, except in cafes of piracy, murder, or high treafon; and then it is doubted whether they can even reprieve. There is no e!lablilhed form of religion here; but church of Eng1and men, independents, quakers, anabaptifl:s, Moravians, Jews, and all other feets whatfoever, have liberty to exercife their feveral profeffions. The Society for the Propagation of the Gofpel fends only four miflionaries. Arts and fciences are almofi: unknown, except to fome few individuals; and there are no public feminaries of learning; nor do the Rhod~ !flanders in general feem to regret the want R H 0 D E I S L A N D. want of them. The has lately taken place, in thefe matters. infiitution of a library fociety, which may poflibly in time produce a change The. char.a Cter. of the Rhode-H. lan. ders is by 110 me ans engagi· ng, or amiable. a Circumfl:ance pnnc1pally owing to their form of government. Their men in power, from the higheft to the lo_we!l, are dep~ndent upon the people, and frequently act Withou_t tha_t finct regard to probity and honour, which ever ought 1nvanably to influence and direct mankind. The pri .. vate p_eo~le are cunni~g, deceitful, and felfifh : they live almo! l tn.tuely by unfa1r and illicit trading. Their magill:rates are _partial and. co:rupt : and it is folly to expeCt ju!lice in the1r cou_rts of J ud1cature; for he, who has the greate!l influence, IS generally found to have the faire!l caufe *· Were the governor to interpofe his authority, were he to refufe to grant flags of truce t, or not to wink. at abufes; he would * The form of th.eir judical oath, or affirmation (fays Douglafs , in his ~ummary), does not 1nvoke the judgments of the omnifcient God, who fees 1.1 1 fecret, but only upon peril of th e penalty of perJ·ur y.----Th"1 s d oes not 1ee~ (adds the fame author in a note) to be a facred or folemn oath, anc.l may be dluil:r<tted by the flory of two profligate thieves; one of them had fl:olen fomething, and told his friend of it: well, fays his friend, but did any body fe~ yo~? No: then, fays his friend, it is yours as much as if you had bought Jt wtth your money. Vol. ii. p. 95· t It ~v~s u ( ual d uri~, g the late war for fevc ral governors of North America, on recelVlng ~ pecun1ary co.nfic.leration, to grant to the merchants flags of ~~ uce; by whtch they were l!cenfed to go to the French \Veil: Indian illands, 111 o1der to exchange prifoners. The real fcope and defign of the voyao-c was, to carry 01~ a prohibitec.l trade with the French, and to fupply them wi~h il:ores, and provdions. Two or three prifoners were fufficient to cover the defi g_n; and in orcler to have a il:ore in readinefs, they feldom carried more. By th1s abu(e both governors ancl merchants acquired great riches. Very plauiible argumen ts indeed might be induced againil: prohibiting, or even reil:rain ing a commerce of that nature : but as the wifJom of government Jid think .fit, L at 73 , |
