May 12, 2005
Banned in Boston?
Add another to the list of superannuated laws still on the books:
Boston is a finalist for hosting a big convention for minority journalists, but a 1675 law requiring the arrest of Native Americans who enter Boston could prevent the city from winning the bid. . .As excerpted in the Boston Globe, the law reads:Two legislators are introducing bills to repeal it, as the city requested.
We find that still there still remains ground of Fear, that unless more effectual Care care be taken, we may be exposed to mischief by some of that Barbarous Crew, or any Strangers not of our Nation, by their coming into, or residing in the Town of Boston. . . . Secondly, That there be a Guard appointed at the end of the said Town towards Roxbury, to hinder the coming in of any Indian, until Application be first made to the Governor, or Council if fitting, and to be . . . remanded back with the same Guard, not to be suffered to lodge in Town, unless in Prison.
Posted by David on May 12, 2005 9:59 AM
Literally it just says "Indian". So the Native Americans can come but it's bad news for Jugdish and Asok...
Posted by: David Ross on May 12, 2005 7:39 PM
I suggest you read about King Phillip's war. It took the lives of 1/4th (or was it 1/10th?) the white males in the Massachusetts area. The war was an attempted genocide on the part of the Indians in the region against the whites.
Essentially, the Indians didn't like immigrants and tried to kill them but these immigrants had guns, unlike the Norwegians of an earlier era. The Indians desired their manufacturered items (guns), but had no money to pay for anything so sold their lands. The Indians decided it was better to murder all the Europeans than lose their property. They lost.
This law may relate to that unhappy experience.
Since this involves native Americans instigating the violence and then getting the worse of it, read more than one source.
Posted by: joel on May 13, 2005 9:07 PM
This law is still "on the books" but has been superseded any any of a number of laws, including but not limited to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the 14th amendment to the US Constitution.
It is not in force in any way, just a forgotten (and rediscovered) anachronism in the statutes. Anyone offended is going way out of their way to take offense.
Posted by: Tulkinghorn on May 15, 2005 3:56 PM
cronaca.com