Bill from William Law, 14 May 1842

A<​n​> Bill <​Ord[inan]ce​> Concerning Brothels & Disorderly Characters

Sec. 1.— Resolved Be it ordained <​by the City of Col of the City of ​> that all Brothels or houses of ill fame erected or being in the City of be <​& the same hereby are​> henceforth prohibited and by Law declared a public Nuisance<​s​>, and that the owners <​or keepers​> of such houses be fined in a sum of not less than fifty dollars <​five hundred​>, nor more <​nor more than Fifty Thousand ​> than one hundred <​one thousand​> dollars <​Dollars & imprisoned for 6 Months​> for each offence of two <​one​> day’s Continuance of such establishment, and that any person frequenting such establishment (except on lawful business) shall be fined in the sum of twenty <​five hundred​> dollars, or one <​and six​> months imprisonment for each offence. and further that for every act of Adultery or fornication which can be proved, the parties shall be imprisoned one <​Six​> months and fined <​each​> in the sum of from fifty <​500​> to one <​Fifty​> thousand dollars, and that the individual’s own acknowledgement shall be considered sufficient evidence in the case—

<​passed May 14th. 1842.​>

<​ Recorder.​>