10



they generally reside from seven to seventeen miles dis-
tant. It may also serve as a memorial of the sagacity of
the managers of the affair, that no invitation was extended
to us, to enter into any investigation before the committee.
A trustee of the church, it is true, who happened to be
present, presented a response, which, it seems, was but
little regarded. A plan so artfully constructed was not to
be frustrated with trifles.  The bill, we are told, was
warmly opposed by members of the first respectability.
But popular prejudice! ! who can penetrate its damps
with the torch of reason, or- even the blaze of common
sense 1 However, we must check those fieedoms of
thought; and respectful of the wisdom and talent that
graced the political temple of the State, introduce this
singular act, and let it speak for itself.

AN ACT TO REGULATE CIVIL PROCFEDINGS AGAINST CER_
  TAIN COMMUNITIES HAVING PROPERTY IN COMMON.
   1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the
Commonwealth of Kentacky, That it shall and may be
lawful for any person having any demand exceeding the
sum of fifty dollars, founded on any contract implied or
expressed, against any of the communities of people
called Shakers, living together and holding their property
in common, to commence and prosecute suits, obtain
decrees, and have execution against any such community
by the name or -description by which said community is
commonly known, without naming or designating the indi-
viduals of such community, or serving process on them,
except as is hereinafter directed, all such suits shall be by
bill in chancery in the circuit court of the county in which
such community resides; and it shall and may be lawful
to make parties to such suits, all other persons, by name,
who may have any interest in the matter in controversy,