Chap. 0015 AN ACT DECLARING IN WHAT MANNER THE DECREES AND ORDERS OF THE GOVERNOUR AND COUNCIL, IN CONTROVERSIES CONCERNING MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE, SHALL BE CARRIED INTO EXECUTION.
Whereas in and by an act of this province, made and pass'd in the fourth 3'ear of the reign of King William and Queen Maiy, it is among other things enacted and declared, that all controversies concerning marriage and divorce shall be heard and determined by the governour and council, but no express provision has been made by the laws of this province for carrying the decrees and orders of the governour and council in such cases into execution,-
Be it therefore enacted by the Governour, Council and House of Pep-resent[ati~]ves,
That if any person shall refuse or neglect to observe and conform to any legal decree or order, whether interlocutory or final, made, or that shall hereafter be made, by the governour and council in any controversy concerning marriage and divorce, eveiy such person shall be and is hereby declared liable to suffer the pains of imprisonment; and it shall and may be lawful for the secretary 'of the province to issue a warrant, under his hand and seal, by order of the governour and council, directed to any sheriff or his deputy, requiring him forthwith to arrest the body of such person so refusing or neglecting, and him to commit unto his majesty's goal, there to remain without bail or main-prize, until [1] he shall compty with such decree or order made as aforesaid.   [Passed January 8 ; published January 13, 1755.