Body

of Liberties, a code of 100 fundamental laws established by the General Court of Ma achusetts in December, 1641. Hitherto there had been no written law in the colony, justice having been administered wholly upon principles of equity. The Body of Liberties was drafted by Nathaniel Ward, pastor of the church at Ipswich. It laid down the fand a mental principles of the sacredne of life, liberty, property and reputation, and prescribed general rules for judicial proceedings. 86