3130. A Bill for Amending an Act, Intitled, “An Act for Raising a Supply of Money for Public Exigencies”, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that so much of one act passed in the year of our Lord 1777, and intitled, “An act for raising a supply of money for public exigencies,” as directs that during the continuance thereof, the freeholders and house-keepers shall meet together and chuse commissioners of the tax for their county, and that the said commissioners of the tax shall lay off their...
3231. A Bill for Levying County Rates, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the Justices of every county, at some court, to be held for their county, between the last day of April and second Tuesday in July, in every year, shall make up in their minutes an account of all expences incurred by the said court, under authority of law, and remaining unpaid, stating therein the sums due, for what, and to whom due, and all credits...
3332. A Bill for Support of the Poor, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the Aldermen of every county wherein such provision, as is herein after required for setting the poor of the county to work, shall not have been made, shall, so soon as conveniently may be, purchase the inheritance, or procure a lease, of one hundred acres of land, or any less quantity that is sufficient for the purpose intended, in the county, and...
3433. A Bill for Ascertaining the Salaries and Fees of Certain Officers, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the salaries and fees, ascertained by the table hereunto annexed, shall be paid to the officers therein mentioned, the salaries out of the public treasury, and the fees by the persons for whom the services, opposite to which the fees are extended, shall be respectively performed. The clerk, or register, of every court, shall, within six months after...
3534. A Bill Declaring Bills of Credit to Be Equal to Gold and Silver Coin of the Same Denominations, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the bills of credit emitted by the American Congress, so long as they continue current by the same authority, and the like bills emitted by act of General Assembly, may be paid in discharge of all demands due in money, every four pence, contained in the denominations of the said bills, being computed equal to three pence of sterling money, or of the...
3635. A Bill to Prevent the Circulation of Private Bank Notes, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that it shall not be lawful for any person to offer in payment a bank bill, or note for money, payable to bearer, and whosoever shall offend herein shall not only forfeit, to the informer, ten times the value of the sum mentioned in such bill or note, but may be apprehended by warrant of a Justice, and, upon due proof of the fact made to him, or upon his...
3736. A Bill for Withholding British Property, to Indemnify Citizens Who May Suffer by Confiscation and to Prevent Succour … (Jefferson Papers)
For securing to the citizens of this commonwealth an indemnification out of the property of British subjects here, in case the sovereign of the latter should confiscate the property of the former in his dominions, as well as to prevent that accession of strength which the enemy might derive by withdrawing their property from hence: Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the lands, slaves,...
3837. A Bill to Prevent Losses by Pirates, Enemies, and Others on the High Seas, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that when any ship of this commonwealth shall have been defended against pirates or enemies and brought to her port of delivery, and in making such defence any of the officers or seamen shall have been killed or wounded, the Judges of the Admiralty, on the petition of the master or seamen; shall call unto them four or more good and substantial merchants,...
3938. A Bill for Preservation of Vessels Wrecked, or in Distress, and of Their Crews and Cargoes, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that a person descrying a vessel wrecked, or in peril, or goods belonging to her in danger of being lost, shall immediately give notice thereof, to some neighbouring Justice of the Peace, or the Naval-Officer of the next port: And a Justice of the Peace descrying, or being informed of such vessel or goods, shall forthwith call together, to assist in the...
4039. A Bill concerning Estrays, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that it shall be lawful for any person, by himself, or his agent, to take up any estray on his own land; and having taken it, he, or his agent, shall forthwith give information thereof to some Justice of the Peace, for the said county, who shall thereupon issue his warrant to three disinterested freeholders, of the neighbourhood, commanding them, having...
4140. A Bill for Restitution of Stolen Goods, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that if any felon do rob or take away any money, or goods, or chattels, from any of the citizens of this commonwealth, from their person or otherwise, within this commonwealth and thereof the said felon be indicted, and after arraigned of the same felony, and found guilty thereof, or otherwise attainted by reason of evidence given by the party so robbed,...
4241. A Bill for Preventing Infection of the Horned Cattle, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the driving of cattle into, or through, the commonwealth, or any part thereof, if it be not to remove them from one plantation to another of the same owner, or to be used at his house, shall be deemed a nuisance, unless the driver shall produce to any freeholder of a county, wherein the drove is passing, who shall require it, a bill of health, signed...
4342. A Bill for Improving the Breed of Horses, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no person shall suffer a stoned horse, of the age of two years, whereof he is owner, or hath the keeping, to run at large, out of the inclosed ground of the owner or keeper; and whosoever shall wilfully or negligently do so, after having been admonished to confine such horse, shall forfeit and pay five pounds, to him who will sue for it, and double...
4443. A Bill for Preservation of Deer, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that it shall not be lawful for any person to kill, hunt, or course any wild deer whatever, not being more than twelve months old, or in any year called bissextile or leap year; or to kill, hunt or course in any other year, a wild buck, after the first day of December, and before the first day of August, or a wild doe, between the first day of January,...
4544. A Bill for Preventing Frauds by the Dealers in Flour, Beef, Pork, Tar, Pitch and Turpentine, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that flour, beef, pork, tar, pitch and turpentine, before they be shipped for exportation, or sold, or bartered, shall be inspected, and the vessels containing them shall be stamped, in the manner herein after directed, by one of the persons whom the county courts shall appoint, residing in their respective counties, and not being owners of merchant...
4645. A Bill for Licensing and Regulating Taverns, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that it shall not be lawful for any one to keep a tavern, before they shall have obtained a license for that purpose, from the court of the county in which the tavern is, or, if it be in Williamsburg, from the court of that city; and if any one, without such authority, open a tavern, or sell, by retail, wine, beer, cyder, or rum, brandy, or other...
4746. A Bill concerning Public Roads, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that where any person or persons shall make application, to any county court, to have a new road opened, or a former one altered, within their county, for the convenience of travelling to their county court-house, to any public ware-house, landing, ferry, mill, lead or iron works, or to the seat of government, they shall appoint three or more fit and able...
4847. A Bill for Establishing Public Ferries, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that ferries be constantly kept, at the places hereafter mentioned, and at the rates annexed to each ferry; that is to say. Over the bay of chesapeak. For a Man. Horse. From George Wilson Spooner’s to Cedar Point in Maryland, 2 6 2 6 From Robert Lovel’s to Maryland, 2 6 2 6 From William Tyler’s to Cedar Point, 2 6
4948. A Bill concerning Mill Dams and Other Obstructions of Water Courses, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that when any person owning lands on one side of any watercourse the bed whereof belongeth to himself, or to the commonwealth, and desiring to build a water grist mill on such lands, and to erect a dam across the same, for working the said mill, shall not himself have the fee simple property in the lands on the opposite side thereof, against which he...
5049. A Bill for Unlading Ballast and Burial of Dead Bodies from on Board Ships, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the court of every county, adjacent to any navigable river or creek, shall from time to time, as vacancies happen, appoint one or more ballast masters, residing near to the places where vessels usually ride in such river or creek, to be overseers and directors of the delivery and unloading of ballast from on board any ship or vessel within a certain...
5150. A Bill concerning Public Store-Houses, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the courts of the respective counties, situate upon any navigable river or creek, may appoint any place or places within the county, which to them shall appear convenient and necessary, for the lading and unlading of goods or merchandise, which, together with such as have been heretofore so appointed shall be deemed public landings: And where...
5251. A Bill concerning Slaves, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no persons shall, henceforth, be slaves within this commonwealth, except such as were so on the first day of this present session of Assembly, and the descendants of the females of them. Negroes and mulattoes which shall hereafter be brought into this commonwealth and kept therein one whole year, together, or so long at different times as shall...
5352. A Bill concerning Servants, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that all white persons, not being citizens of any of the confederating states of America, who shall come into this commonwealth under contract to serve another in any trade, or occupation, shall be compellable to perform such contract specifically during the term thereof, or during so much of the same as shall not exceed seven years. Infants under the age...
5453. A Bill for Apprehending and Securing Runaways, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that any person may apprehend a servant or slave, suspected to be a runaway, and carry him before a Justice of Peace, who, if to him the servant or slave appear, by the oath of the apprehender, to be a runaway, shall give a certificate of such oath, and the distance, in his opinion, between the place where the runaway was apprehended and that from whence...
5554. A Bill Declaring What Persons Shall Be Deemed Mulattoes, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that every person, of whose grandfathers or grandmothers any one is, or shall have been, a negro, although all his other progenitors, except that descending from the negro, shall have been white persons, shall be deemed a mulatto; and so every person, who shall have one fourth part or more of negro blood, shall, in like manner be deemed a mulatto. Report...
5655. A Bill Declaring Who Shall Be Deemed Citizens of This Commonwealth, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that all white persons born within the territory of this commonwealth and all who have resided therein two years next before the passing of this act, and all who shall hereafter migrate into the same; and shall before any court of record give satisfactory proof by their own oath or affirmation, that they intend to reside therein, and moreover shall give...
5756. A Bill concerning Aliens, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that all manner of aliens, of whatsoever nation or country they be, being in amity with the United States of America, together with their families, agents and servants whom they bring, shall be welcome, and freely may come within the commonwealth and there be conversant to merchandise and tarry, or travel, as long as them liketh, and they bear themselves...
5857. A Bill Declaring that None Shall Be Condemned without Trial, and that Justice Shall Not Be Sold or Deferred, 18 June … (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no freeman shall be taken or imprisoned, or be disseised of his freehold, or liberties, or free customs, or be outlawed, or exiled, or any otherwise destroyed, nor shall the commonwealth pass upon him, nor condemn him but by lawful judgment of his peers, or by the laws of the land. Justice or right shall not be sold, denied or deferred to no man....
5958. A Bill Directing What Prisoners Shall Be Let to Bail, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
For ascertaining in what cases persons apprehended on suspicion of felony shall, or shall not, be admitted to bail, Be it enacted by the General Assembly that those shall be let to bail who are apprehended for any crime not punishable in life or limb: And if the crime be so punishable, but only a light suspicion of guilt fall on the party he shall in like manner, be bailable: But if the crime...
6059. A Bill Directing the Mode of Suing Out and Prosecuting Writs of Habeas Corpus, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that whensoever a habeas corpus shall be served, by delivering it to the officer or other person to whom it is directed; or by leaving it at the jail or prison in which the party suing it out is detained; unless the warrant of committment plainly and specially express the same to have been for treason or felony; if the charges of bringing the prisoner, to...