Act VI.--It is further concluded and ordered that every master of a family, and every freeman that is to pay five pounds of tobacco per pol as aforesaid for the defraying of publique charges, shall bring the same unto the Houses of the Burgesses of the plantations within two dayes after notice thereof given unto them. And if any shall faile to bring in the same, it is thought fitt that by virtue of this order the said Burgesses shall have power to levy the same by distresse, upon the goods of the delinquents, and to make sale of the said goods, and to detaine such tobacco which shall be due by this order, and for their ffees in making this distresse, restoring to the owner of the said goods the residue and remainder. And if the Burgesses shall make neglecte herein they shall be fined by the governour and Council. (3) [_February, 1631/2._] Act XI.--Mynisters shall not give themselves to excesse in drinkinge, or riott, spendinge theire tyme idellye by day or night, playinge at dice, cards, or any other unlawfull game; but at all tymes convenient they shall heare or reade somewhat of the holy scriptures, or shall occupie themselves with some other honest study or exercise, alwayes doinge the thinges which shall apperteyne to honesty, and endeavour to profitt the church of God, alwayes haveinge in mynd that they ought to excell all others in puritie of life, and should be examples to the people to live well and christianlie. (4) [_March, 1643._] Act XXXV.--Be it also enacted and confirmed, for the better observation of the Sabbath, that no person or persons shall take a voyage[22] upon the same, except it be to church, or for other cause of extreme necessitie, upon the penalty of the forfeiture for such offense of twenty pounds of tobacco, being justly convicted for the same. (5) [_October, 1644._] Act VIII.--Noe debts made for wines or strong waters shall be pleadable or recoverable in any court of justice.[23] FOOTNOTES: [19] The English Council, previously named, remained in supreme charge in England. [20] This law was reënacted in the same words in _1632 and 1642_. [21] This immunity is copied from that of members of the English Parliament for some centuries preceding. [22] Travel was mainly by water. To "take a voyage" was equivalent to "make a journey." [23] This finds its modern parallel in our custom that prevents the collection of gambling debts by legal process. VI. THE ASSEMBLY DURING THE COMMONWEALTH 34. Virginia and the Parliamentary Commissioners, 1652 Hening's _Statutes_, I, 363 ff. Cf. _American History and Government_, # 337, for the supremacy of the Assembly during the Commonwealth.