| Restriction of Normal Activity on the Sabbath - May 31, 1647 - New Netherlands (New York)
Restriction of Normal Activity on the Sabbath
May 31, 1647
(B. Fernow, ed. Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. I, pp. 1-2)
Petrus Stuyvesant, Director-General of New Netherland and the islands thereto pertaining, Captain and Commander of the company's ships and yachts in West India cruising, to all who may see or hear these presents read, greeting:
Whereas we have experienced the insolence of some of our inhabitants when drunk, their quarrelling, fighting, and hitting each other even on the Lord's day of rest, of which we have ourselves witnessed the painful example last Sunday in contravention of law, to the contempt and disgrace of our person and office, to the annoyance of our neighbors, and to the disregard, nay contempt, of God's holy laws and ordinances, which command us to keep holy in his honor his day of rest, the Sabbath, and forbid all bodily injury and murder, as well as the means and inducements leading thereto.
Therefore, by the advice of the late Director-General and of our Council and to the end that instead of God's curse falling upon us we may receive his blessing, we charge, enjoin, and order herewith principally all brewers, tapsters, and innkeepers that none of them shall upon the Lord's day of rest, by us called Sunday, entertain people, tap or draw any wine, beer, or strong waters of any kind and under any pretext before 2 of the clock, in case there is no preaching, or else before 4, except only to a traveller and those who are daily customers fetching the drinks to their own homes; this under the penalty of being deprived of their occupation and besides a fine of 6 carolusguilders for each person, who shall be found drinking wine or beer within the stated time. We also forbid all innkeepers, landlords, and tapsters to keep their houses open on this day or any other day of the week in the evening after the ringing of the bell, which will be rung about 9 of the clock, or to give wine, beer, or strong waters to any, except to their family, travellers, and tableboarders, under the like penalty. And to prevent the all too ready drawing of a knife, fighting, wounding, and the mishaps resulting therefrom, therefore, with the approval of the very wise High Council of the City of Amsterdam, we command that all who shall draw or have drawn their knives or swords rashly or in anger against another shall pay a fine of 100 carolusguilders, or, if they have not the money, be employed in the most menial labor for half a year with bread and water for their food. If anybody is wounded, the fine shall be 300 such guilders or one year and a half of such labor. And we charge and command our Fiscal, lieutenants, sergeants, and corporals, as well as of the resident burghers as of our soldiers, to make the necessary inspections at all occasions with proper care, arresting all who act contrary, that they may be prosecuted thereafter as the law directs.
Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland on the last of May, 1647.
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Chris Rhoades -33 Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church (PCA) Nashville, TN-Under Care Vera theologia non theoretica, sed practica est; Finis siquidem eius agere est hoc est vitam vivere deiformem. - Martin Bucer ""True theology is not theoretical, but practical. The end of it is living, that is to live a godly life." |
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