History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1664] SPECIAL'' MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS. 161
vision was that all swine taken in the "meddow or in the
Corne feilds after the middle of febrnary that are not well
and substantially runge," should be liable to a fine of
"twelue pence a hogg," viz. :— lOd. to him that should impound
them and "twopence for the pounding;" and all
"hoggs" taken in the meadow after the middle of April,
were "lyable" to the same fine whether "they be runge or
yoaked." Any swine found in any enclosure other than
their owner's, were subject to a similar fine. The seventh
order had reference to clearing the meadows of stock of all
kinds previous to the lO*** of March, and "from that time
soe long as corne be on the Ground," the penalty being the
same as in the preceding order.
Bailiffs Chosen. On the 28"" of January, 1664, "John Stebben
and Enos Kingslo were chosen Bay-
leus for the Towne to cleare the meadows of all Cattle «fe
Swine that are trespasers and Impound them that we may
preserf our corne & grass.". The town voted to place the
above regulations on the records, the month following the
election of Bailiff^s, in order undoubtedly, that they might
know their duties. These officers were also called "Meadow
Bailiffs," "Howards," and "Haj^wards," but never
before were they named on the records, though the laws
they were chosen especially to enforce, were enacted nearly
two years before.
Illegal Voting for At a towu meeting held "the 6*" of the ll**"
Selectmen.
j^^q. 1663, (January 6, 1664), David Wilton,
William Clarke, Decon Holton, Joseph Parsons,
Robert Bartlet," were chosen selectmen. So much
illegal voting was perpetrated at this election, that an appeal
was made to the County Court "in a paper Subscribed
by diverse persons & p''esented to this co''te as a breach of
the Law of the Common Wealth;" the jury presenting
the matter as an "illegal choyce of Select Men." The
court decided that there was not "sufficient reason for this
presentment, and that the Select Men are not invested in
their places contrary to law. And therefore doe advise &
desire the said Select Men to act in their places to which