No man shall marry his mother, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, stepmother, grandfather's wife, son's wife, grandson's wife, wife's mother, wife's grandmother, wife's daughter, wife's grand daughter, nor his sister, brother's daughter, sister's daughter, father's sister, or mother's sister.

No woman shall marry her father, grandfather, son, grandson, stepfather, grandmother's husband, daughter's husband, granddaughter's husband, husband's father, husband's grandfather, husband's son, husband's grandson; nor her brother, brother's son, sister's son, father's brother, or mother's brother.

No marriage shall be contracted whilst either party has a former wife or husband living, unless the marriage of such former wife or husband shall have been dissolved.

No white person shall intermarry with a negro.

Marriages may be solemnized by Justices of the Peace. and Ministers of the Gospel; or, so far as relates to the manner, may be solemnized according to the usages of any society or denomination.

Divorce.-All marriages prohibited by law on account of the relationship of the parties, or on account of either of them having a former wife or husband living; all marriages solemnized while either party was an idiot or insane; all marriages between a white person and a negro, if solemnized within this State; all marriages solemnized when either party was under the age of legal consent, if they shall separate during such nonage, and not live together afterwards, or in case the consent of one of the parties was obtained by force or fraud, and there shall have been no subsequent voluntary cohabitation of the parties, shall be deemed void without any decree of divorce.

A sentence to imprisonment for life, of either party, dissolves the marriage, without any decree of divorce.

The following are recognized by our statute as grounds for granting a divorce, to the aggrieved party:

Second. Physical incompetency;

Third. Sentence of one of the parties to imprisonment for three years or more;

Fourth. When either party shall desert the other for a term of two years;

Fifth. When either party shall have become an habitual drunkard.

And the court may, in its discretion, grant a decree of divorce for the cause of extreme cruelty, or, on the complaint of the wife, where the husband neglects or refuses to support her, being able to furnish such support. The court will not grant a divorce to a party who is shown to be guilty of the same crime or misconduct charged against the defendant.

During the pending of a suit for divorce, the court has power to make such order concerning the care and custody of the minor children and for the support of the wife by the husband as shall seem suitable and proper; and when a decree is granted, the court makes such order as to the future care of the children and support of the wife as shall appear just and proper, under all the circumstances.

When the marriage is dissolved, on account of the imprisonment of the husband, adultery by the husband, misconduct, or habitual drunkenness of the husband, the wife shall be entitled to her dower in his lands, the same as if he were dead.

The court has power to grant a divorce from bed and board, without dissolving the marriage, in cases where the ground of complaint is extreme cruelty, or the neglect of the husband to support the wife.

Questions. At what age may parties contract marriage? Who shall not intermarry? Who may solemnize marriages? What marriages are void without a decree of divorce? What are recognized as grounds for a divorce, under the laws of Michigan? When will the court not grant a divorce? What is said of the care and support of minor children, and of the wife, in divorce cases? In what cases does the wife, when divorced, retain a dower interest in her husband's estate? For what cause may a divorce from bed and board only, be granted?

CHAPTER LXII.

OF THE

DOMESTIC RELATIONS, CONTINUED.-HUSBAND AND
WIFE.-RIGHTS OF MARRIED WOMEN.

It is the duty of the husband to maintain and support his wife; and in case he abandon her and leave the State without sufficient provision for her support, the Probate Court may authorize her to sell his personal property, and collect moneys or other property due and belonging to him, and to use the same as her own.

A married woman may dispose of her property the same as if she were unmarried, and may make and enforce contracts for the purchase or the sale of property. Her property is not liable for the debts of her husband. She may sue and be sued, in relation to her separate property, without joining her husband in such suit; and may carry on business in her own name.

While the husband is liable for the support of his wife, that is, for necessaries furnished her, he is not liable upon her contracts for other things.

The wife may mortgage her property to secure a debt of

her own, or that of another person, but a note signed by her as surety, cannot be enforced against her. She may, however, buy goods for use in her husband's family, and be liable therefor, provided the goods were purchased with the understanding that she should pay for them. She may insure her life for the benefit of her husband, or her husband's life for her own benefit.

A mortgage, given by the husband, upon the homestead, or other property exempt by law from sale on execution, is invalid unless signed by the wife.

Where property of the husband has been taken from him on a mortgage, invalid for want of her signature, or upon an execution, where the property was not subject to levy, the wife may bring suit to recover the same, in her own name.

The widow of every deceased person is entitled to dower, or the use, during her natural life, of one-third part of all the lands whereof her husband was seized of an estate of inheritance, at any time during the marriage, unless she has conveyed the same away, or unless she has entered into an agreement to accept a certain consideration in lieu of dower.

Provision is made by law, for an allowance out of the husband's personal estate for the support of the widow and children, until such estate can be settled.

Questions. What is required of a married man as to the support of his wife? In case he abandons her, what provision is made by law as to her support? What rights has a married woman concerning property and the making of contracts? With reference to suits? For what is the husband not liable? What is said of her right to be surety for another? Of her liability for goods furnished to her for the family? Of her right to insure the life of herself or husband? What mortgages are invalid without her signature? What property of her husband may she recover by suit? What is said of dower? Of an allowance out of the personal property of a deceased husband?

CHAPTER LXIII.

GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

COLONIAL GOVERNMENTS-GOVERNMENT UNDER THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION-ORGANIZATION OF THE FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT.

In the early history of this country the people were subjects of the British Empire. Extensive grants of territory were conferred upon individuals and companies. Some of these grants conferred certain powers of government. Out of these grants Colonies were organized, with charters specifying what governmental powers might be exercised. They authorized the establishment of Legislatures to make laws for the government of the people, provided such laws should not conflict with the laws of the British Parliament.

Governors for the Colonies were appointed by the King of England, in whom was vested executive authority.

The Colonies, while subject to Great Britain, were entirely independent of each other.

In course of time the British Government became exacting and oppressive towards the Colonies, denying them many of the privileges that had been granted by their charters.

In 1765, at the request of the Massachusetts Legislature, the different Colonies sent representatives, or delegates to meet in convention to counsel together concerning their difficulties with the British Government. In the same year delegates from nine Colonies met in New York, and agreed upon, and signed petitions and memorials representing their grounds of complaint, and forwarded them to the King.