An Authentic Narrative of the Oppressions of the Islanders of Jersey. to Which Is Prefixed a Succinct History of the Military Actions, Constitution, Laws, Customs, and Commerce of That Island.; To Which Is Prefixed a Succinct History of the Military Actio (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1771. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... without just'and approved excuse; or if he shall behave in any respect disobedient, or irreverently-, he shall be punished by dismission, by corporal, or pecuniary infliction, as it shall be thought proper by the governor, bailly, and jurats, or the majority of them. . buch was the legislative body of the island of Jersey then established; and which was undoubtedly intended to delude the people with the vision of an assembly, analagous to the parliament of England. But it was ib constituted, that without the aid of pecuniary influence, every member was absolutely in the power of the governor. The election of the jurats was now confined to the states, fey which the ancient mode of chusing these magistrates was abolished; and the chief people of the island robbed of their privilege of voting for those judges on whom their rights and properties depended. And as no jurat could be received .without the consent of the governor, that conditional circumstance was, in fact, all but appointing whom he pleased to fill that part of the states, and the benchof justice. Theliberty of every subject was now.violated; and because the laws of Jersey had justified Hugh Lernpriere in refusing to accept that office, no man, for the future, was to enjoy that freedom, but at the price of forty pounds sterling, to be repeated as often as a majority of the jurats stiduld think fit. One half of this money was to be applied to the use of the governor, for all fines and forfeitures due to the crown, constitute a part of his revenue. . The constables also were not less in the disposal of the commanding officer. Three of those were to be returned by the votes of each parish, and the governor and jurats were to select which of them they pleased. In this instance, the odious . . idea' idea ...