An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.

An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.

Corn thus lent is somewhat difficult to receive again.  For the Debtor being Poor, all the Creditors will come into the field, when the Corn is a shareing, that being the place of payment:  and as soon as it is divided each one will scramble to get what he can.  And having taken possession of it, from thence the Creditor must carry it home himself, be it far or near.

[The debt becomes double in two years.] If the Debt remains in the Debtors hands two years, it becomes doubled:  and from thence forward be it never so long, no more use is to be paid by the Law of the Land, which Act was established by the King in favour of the Poor, there having been some whole Families made Slaves for a bushel of Corn.

[If the debtor pay not his debt he is lyable to be a slave for it.] But yet it is lawful for the Creditor, missing Corn, to lay hands on any of his goods:  or if the sum be somewhat considerable on his Cattle or Children, first taking out a License from the Magistrate so to do, or if he have none, on himself or his wife, if she came with him to fetch the debt, if not, she is clear from this violence; but his Children are not.

[Divers other Laws and Customes.] If a woman goes away from her Husband without his consent, no Man may marry her, until he first be married.  In lending of mony by the use of it in one years time, it becomes double.  And if the Creditor receive not his mony at the expiration of the year, but lets it lie in the Debtors hands never so long after, no more than double is to be paid, the encrease never runs up higher as it is in lending Corn.  If a Bond-woman has Children by a Free-man, the Children all are Slaves to her Master:  but if a Bond-man has Children by a Free-woman, the Children are free:  For the Children are always as the Mother, whether Bond or Free.  No man may cut down a Coker-nut-Tree.  If any man to a bargain or promise gives a stone in the Kings name, it is as firm as hand and seal.  And if any after this go back of his word, it will bear an Action.  If any man be taken stealing, he must restore seven for one, or else be made a Slave, if he be not able to pay it.

It is lawful and customary for a man in necessity to sell or pawn his Children, or himself.  No man building an house either in his own or another mans ground, if he be afterwards minded to leave his Land, where his house stood, may pull it down again:  But must let it stand for the benefit of whosoever comes after him.

[For deciding controversies.] For the deciding of matters in controversie especially of more abstruse cognizance, the parties do both swear before their Gods, sometimes in their Temples, and sometimes upon more extraordinary occasions in hot Oyl.

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An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.