FUNDAMENTALS, or BODY OF LIB ERTIES, a colonial collection of laws pre pared in 1641 by a convention of New England freemen who resented the arbitrary, undefined powers and prerogatives of the magistrates. A preliminary draft prepared by the council was first submitted to the local magistrates and elders, and was then sent broadcast to the free men for consideration, suggestion and improve ment. After considerable revision, about 100 laws were formally adopted, with the provision that after three years' trial they were to be re vised and then become finally established. Church members were vested with the supreme power, but the supreme council possessed the power of veto. Every citizen was granted a certain share in the business of any public meeting, although universal suffrage. was not conceded. The liberties of women, children and servants were defined in a more benovelent spirit, in harmony with the Mosaic code. A certain degree of liberty was granted to private churches and assemblies of different Christians, but the council had power to suppress arbi trarily any proceedings which they deemed dan gerous or heterodox and to punish or expel their authors. Strangers and refugees who pro
fessed the true Christian religion were to be received and sheltered. Injurious monopolies were not to be allowed. Slavery, villainage or captivity was abolished, except in the case of lawful captives taken in war, or any case where slaves might he sold by others or should sell themselves. All torture was abolished, except whipping, ear-cropping and the pillory which were retained as necessary and wholesome, but death was the punishment for idolatry, witch craft and blasphemy, or for the wilful die turbing of the established order of the State. Consult Palfrey, J. G., 'History of New Eng land) (Vol. I, pp. 229-282; 4 vols. 1873).