ACTS AND LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, PASSED BY THE GENERAL COURT, A.D. 1783.
Boston: Adams and Nourse, 1783. 36pp. Folio. Two rubberstamps on title page, a light blindstamp on page [3]. Else a lightly toned, clean text. Good+.
[bound with] ACTS AND LAWS...PASSED BY THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS: BEGUN AND HELD AT BOSTON, IN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, ON WEDNESDAY THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF MAY, ANNO DOMINI, 1783; AND FROM THENCE CONTINUED, BY ADJOURNMENT, TO WEDNESDAY THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER FOLLOWING, AND THEN MET. [Boston: Adams and Nourse. 1783]. Pages 37-44 [i.e., 48, as issued]. Pagination of pages 45-48 has been corrected in ink, as in some copies. Very Good.
[bound with] ACTS AND LAWS, PASSED BY THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS: BEGUN AND HELD AT BOSTON, IN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, ON WEDNESDAY THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF MAY, ANNO DOMINI, 1783; AND FROM THENCE CONTINUED BY ADJOURNMENTS, TO WEDNESDAY THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF JANUARY, 1784, AND THEN MET. [Boston: Adams and Nourse. 1784]. pp. 49-129. Folio, later leaves spotted, Good+.
Massachusetts passes several Acts asserting its "right of expelling from the dominions thereof, all aliens who profess dispositions, or hold principles incompatible with the safety or sovereignty of the State," targeting particularly Loyalists who have "taken the protection" of England. After dissatisfaction with Acts deporting such persons to England, or forbidding their return to the State, the General Court decides to require such persons to obtain a License from the Governor in order to live in Massachusetts. Other interesting Acts include lotteries to raise funds for public purposes; lighthouse and pilotage statutes; probate laws; establishment of a state Bank; duties of Coroners, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace; prohibitions on usury [maximum annual rate set at 6%].
FIRST EDITION. Evans 18021, 18588. Item #32033
Price: $475.00