Virginia House of Burgesses (March 13, 1660) ordinances of Jamestown:
<Whereas there is an unreasonable and turbulent sort of people, commonly called Quakers, who contrary to the law do daily gather unto them unlawful Assemblies and congregations of people teaching and publishing, lies, miracles, false visions, prophecies and doctrines, which have influence upon the communities of men both ecclesiastical and civil endeavoring and attempting thereby to destroy religion, laws, communities and all bonds of civil society, leaving it arbitrary to every vain and vicious person whether men shall be safe, laws established, offenders punished, and Governors rule, hereby disturbing the public peace and just interest, to prevent and restrain which mischief,
It is enacted, That no master or commander of any ship or other vessel do bring into this colony any person or persons called Quakers, under the penalty of one hundred pounds sterling to be levied upon him and his estate by order from the Governor and Council or the commissioners in the several counties where such s hips shall arrive,
That all such Quakers as have been questioned or shall hereafter arrive shall be apprehended wheresoever they shall be found and they be imprisoned without bail or mainprize till they do adjure this country or putt in security with all speed to depart the colony and not to return again:
And if any should dare to presume to return hither after such departure to be proceeded against as contemners of the laws and magistracy and punished accordingly, and caused again to depart the country, And if they should the third time be so audacious and impudent as to return hither to be proceeded against as felons. That no person shall entertain any of the Quakers that have heretofore been questioned by the Governor and Council, or which shall hereafter be questioned, nor permit in or near his house any Assemblies of Quakers in the like penalty of one hundred pound sterling,
That commissioners and officers are hereby required and authorized as they will answer the contrary at their peril to take notice of this act to see it fully effected and executed, And that no person do presume on their peril to dispose or publish their books, pamphlets or libels bearing the title of their tenets and opinions.> 1660VA001
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1660VA001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Virginia Ordinances, March 13, 1660, of House of Burgesses, Jamestown.