Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 16.pdf/62

 A Curious Connecticut Tobacco Law.

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A CURIOUS CONNECTICUT TOBACCO LAW. BY JOSEPH M. SULLIVAN, Of the Boston Bar. derstand, and can convict to be trangressors IN the code of laws passed by the towns of of this order." Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield in the The weed found in. Daniel Webster an years 1638-9, may be found the following on ardent champion and enthusiastic advocate. tobacco chewing: "For asmuch as it is ob He found in its fragrant fumes a solace from served that many abuses are crept in, and care, and a haven of rest from the troubles committed by the frequent taking of tobacand anxieties which are incident to the con ko. It is ordered by the authority of this duct and trial of law suits. In his early days court that no person under the age of twenty-one years, nor any others that hath he wrote thus concerning the good qualities of the weed: not already accustomed himselfe to the use "I have engaged a new auxiliary to sup thereof, shall take any tobacko until hee hath port me under mortification; it is tobacco. bought a certificate under the hands of some Since using this great Catholicon, I suspect one who are approved for knowledge and that Cato and John Rogers were not unac skill in physicks, that is useful for him, and quainted with the virtues of the goodly leaf; also that hee hath received a lycense from the courts for the same. And for the regu else whence derived they this firmness? Oh, tobacco, how many hearts hast thou saved lating of those, who either by theire former from the destructions of coquetry! How taking it, have, to theire own apprehensions, many throats of bankrupts hast thou pre made it necessary to them, or upon due ad served from their own pen-knives! vice, are persuaded to the use thereof.—It is ordered that no man within this colonye, "Come then, tobacco, new found friend, after the publication hereof, shall take any Come, and thy suppliant attend. tobacko publiquely, in the streets, highways, In each dull, lonely hour; or any barn-yardes, or upon training days, in any open places, under the penalty of six And though misfortunes lie around, Thicker than hailstones on the ground, pence for each offence against this order, in I'll rest upon thy power; any of the particulars thereof, to bee paid without gainsaying, uppon conviction by Then, while the coxcomb, pert and proud, the testimony of one witness, that is, with The politician, learned and loud, Keep one eternal clack, out just exception, before any one magis I'll tread where silent nature smiles trate. And the constables in the several Where solitude our woes beguiles towns are required to make presentment to And chew thee, dear toback." each particular courte, of such as they do un