134. 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...
2105. A Bill for Reforming the Method of Proceeding in Writs of Right, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that, for trial of disputed titles to lands in a more simple mode than that which hath most commonly been used of late, the claimant or demandant of an estate in fee simple may sue forth, against the possessor or tenant, a writ of praecipe quod reddat; which issuing from the General Court, shall be in this form, or to this effect: “The commonwealth of...
369. A Bill to Encourage the Apprehending of Horse Stealers, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that whosoever shall apprehend one charged with horse stealing, if the prisoner be convicted of that crime, shall be intitled to a reward of pounds, to be paid by the Treasurer, upon a certificate of the General Court, that the claimant was the apprehender, and either that he was not examined as a witness at the trial, or that the other evidence then...
473. A Bill against Conspirators, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it declared and enacted by the General Assembly, that conspirators be they that do confederate or bind themselves by oath, covenant, or other alliance that every of them shall aid and bear the other falsely and maliciously to move or cause to be moved any indictment or information against another on the part of the commonwealth, and those who are convicted thereof at the suit of the...
51. A Bill to Arrange the Counties into Senatorial Districts, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly that the districts, for which Senators are to be chosen to serve in General Assembly, shall be those which are herein after described, that is to say, the counties of Accomack and Northampton, one district; the counties of Princess Ann, Norfolk, and Nansemond, one other district; the counties of Isle-of-wight, Surry, and Prince George, one other district;...
636. 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,...
740. 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,...
8107. A Bill for the Speedy Determination of Suits Wherein Foreigners Are Parties, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that a suit, commenced in the High Court of Chancery, or General Court, by or against a party, who is no citizen of the commonwealth, shall be heard or tried in the term to which the process shall be returned, regularly executed, or so soon afterwards as may be; and, to this end, subsequent process to compel appearance may be returnable to any day of a...
9111. A Bill for Preventing Vexatious and Malicious Prosecutions and Moderating Amercements, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that every action at common law, or suit in equity, commenced in the name of a person not residing in Virginia, unless he be employed abroad in the service of the commonwealth, or of the United States of America, shall be dismissed, if security be not given with the clerk of the court from whence the process shall issue, or wherein it shall be depending,...
1075. A Bill to Punish Bribery and Extortion, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no Treasurer, keeper of any public seal, Councillor of State, counsel for the commonwealth, Judge, clerk of the peace, sheriff, coroner, escheator, nor any other officer of the commonwealth, shall in time to come take, in any form, any manner of gift, brocage, or reward for doing his office, other than is or shall be allowed by some act of General...
113. A Bill Empowering One of the Privy Council to Officiate in Certain Cases as Lieutenant Governor, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that if the Governor and President of the Privy Council shall die, or otherwise become unable to perform his duty, in the recess of the General Assembly, the Privy Councillor whose name stands next in the list of their appointments shall officiate as Lieutenant Governor, until the vacancy be supplied, or the disability cease. And, in the absence of the...
1238. 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...
1342. 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...
14109. A Bill for Recovering Demands of Small Value in a Summary Way, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that any debt, or penalty, amounting to more than twenty five shillings, or two hundred pounds of tobacco, and not exceeding one hundred shillings, or eight hundred pounds of tobacco, may be demanded, by petition, to the court of a county, city, or borough. The clerk of the peace shall draw the petition, stating therein how the debt became due, or by...
15113. A Bill Providing that an Infant May Sue by His Next Friend, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
In every case where such as be within age may sue, it is enacted by the General Assembly, that their next friends shall be admitted to sue for them. Report Report of the Committee of Revisors Appointed by the General Assembly of Virginia in MDCCLXXVI , Richmond, 1784 , p. 80. Text as adopted is in Hening, William W. Hening, The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia...
1677. A Bill to Prevent the Spreading of the Small-Pox, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that it shall not be lawful for the master or mistress of a family, of which no one was before casually infected with the small-pox, to inoculate any person at his or her house, or, if any there be infected, to inoculate one who is not of his or her family, or knowingly suffer another to do it, or bring or suffer to come an infected person thither, until...
1781. A Bill for Establishing a Public Library, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that on the first day of January, in every year there shall be paid out of the treasury the sum of two thousand pounds, to be laid out in such books and maps as may be proper to be preserved in a public library, and in defraying the expences necessary for the care and preservation thereof; which library shall be established at the town of Richmond. The...
185. A Bill for Regulating and Disciplining the Militia, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
For forming the citizens of this commonwealth into a militia and disciplining the same for defence thereof, be it enacted by the General Assembly of the commonwealth of Virginia, that all free male persons, hired servants and apprentices, between the ages of 16 and 50 years (except the Governor and members of the Council of State, members of the American Congress, Judges of the Superior...
1944. 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...
20115. A Bill Prescribing a Method of Protesting Inland Bills of Exchange and Allowing Assignees of Obligations to Bring … (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that if a bill of exchange, for the sum of five pounds, or upwards, dated at any place in Virginia, drawn upon a person at any other place therein expressed, to be for value received, and payable at a certain number of days, weeks, or months after date, being presented to the person upon whom it shall be drawn, shall not be accepted by subscribing his...
2179. A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas it appeareth that however certain forms of government are better calculated than others to protect individuals in the free exercise of their natural rights, and are at the same time themselves better guarded against degeneracy, yet experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny; and it...
2283. A Bill for Saving the Property of the Church Heretofore by Law Established, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the several tracts of Glebe land, the churches, and chapels, the books, vestments, plate and ornaments, all arrears of money and tobacco, and all property real and personal of private donation, which on the seventh day of October, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, were vested in any persons whatever for the use of the English...
237. A Bill Giving Certain Powers to the Governor and Council for a Limitted Time, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the present war between America and Great-Britain was undertaken for defence of the common rights of the American States, and it is therefore just that each of them, when in danger, should be aided by the joint exertions of all; and as on any invasion of this commonwealth in particular, we should hope for and expect necessary aids of militia from our neighboring sister states, so it is...
2411. A Bill Establishing a Board of Auditors, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly that there shall be a standing Board of Auditors for Public Accounts, to consist of three persons to be chosen from time to time, as vacancies shall happen, by joint ballot of both Houses of Assembly, and to continue in office until removed by the joint vote of both the said Houses; and where any person so appointed shall refuse to act, resign, or die,...
251. Bill Declaring When Laws Shall Be in Force, 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
To prevent all Doubt concerning the Time at which the Laws of this Commonwealth shall take place, and be in Force Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that all Laws, or Acts of Assembly, which shall be made or passed during this, or any future Session, shall take place, and be in Force, from and after the last Day of that Session of Assembly in which they shall have been respectively made or...
2646. 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...
2750. 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...
28117. A Bill for Granting Attachments against the Estates of Debtors Removing Privately or Absconding, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that when any person shall privately remove out of the county he had resided in, or shall abscond so that he cannot be served with process, a Justice of the Peace of the same county, at the request of any to whom he who shall so remove or abscond is indebted, shall and may, by his precept, returnable to his next county court, command the sheriff to attach...
29121. A Bill Allowing a Bill of Exceptions to Be Sealed, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
When one impleaded before any court, and in any cause, where appeal lies to a higher court, doth alledge an exception praying that the Justices will allow it, if they will not allow it and he that alledged the exception do write the same exception, and require that the Justices will put their seals in testimony thereof, the Justices or the greater part of them present shall so do; and if such...
3085. A Bill for Appointing Days of Public Fasting and Thanksgiving, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the power of appointing days of public fasting and humiliation, or thanksgiving, throughout this commonwealth, may in the recess of the General Assembly, be exercised by the Governor, or Chief Magistrate, with the advice of the Council; and such appointment shall be notified to the public, by a proclamation, in which the occasion of the fasting or...
319. A Bill Establishing a Board of Trade, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly that a Board of Trade shall be constituted to consist of three persons, not exercising commerce on their private account, to be chosen by joint ballot of both Houses of Assembly, at the first session of every Assembly, and to continue in office until the next choice shall be made: But any member may be removed within that time by joint vote of both Houses,...
3213. A Bill for Appointing Naval Officers, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the districts of the naval officers shall remain as they have been heretofore laid off, that is to say, two for James river, one below and the other above Kyth’s or Lawn’s creek; one for Elizabeth river; one for South-Quay; one for York river; one for Rappahannock river; one for South-Potowmack, and one for each of the counties of Accomack and...
3348. 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...
3452. 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...
35119. A Bill Permitting Those Who Will Not Take Oaths to Be Otherwise Qualified, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that any person refusing to take an oath, and declaring religious scruples to be the true and only reason of such refusal, if he will use the solemnity and ceremony, and repeat the formulary, observed on similar occasions, by those of the church, or religious society he professeth himself to be a member of, or to join in communion with, shall thereupon be...
36123. A Bill concerning Executions, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that every action of account render, debt, detinue, deceit, conspiracy, trespass with force and arms, or trespass upon the case, shall be commenced by suing forth the writ called capias ad respondendum, without an original writ or other precept before. Lands, tenements, and hereditaments shall and may by virtue of writs of fieri facias, be taken and sold...
3787. A Bill against Usury, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no person shall hereafter, upon any contract take, directly or indirectly, for loan of any money, wares or merchandize, or other commodity, above the value of five pounds, for the forbearance of one hundred pounds, for a year, and, after that rate, for a greater or lesser sum, or for a longer or shorter time; and all bonds, contracts, covenants,...
3891. A Bill Constituting the General Court, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the court of common law, called the General Court, consisting of the present Chief Justice, and the four other Judges thereof, or their successors, to be appointed, when vacancies happen, in the manner herein after directed, of whom any three or four are declared to be a sufficient number to constitute the court, shall have jurisdiction over all...
3915. A Bill for the Enlistment of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly that every able bodied freeman who will enlist to serve during the continuance of the present war among the troops of this commonwealth either at home or in the Continental army as he shall be directed, or as a sailor or marine on board the armed vessels of this commonwealth shall receive so much money as with the continental bounty if he be put on that...
4054. 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...
41125. A Bill Providing Remedy and Punishment in Cases of Forcible Entries and Detainers, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that none make any entry into any lands and tenements, or other possessions, whatsoever but in case where entry is given by the law; and in such case not with strong hand, nor with multitude of people, but only in peaceable and easy manner; and that none who shall have entered into the same in peaceable manner hold the same after with force. And if any do...
4289. A Bill to Prevent Forestalling, Regrating, and Engrossing, and Sales by Auction, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that if any person shall buy, or cause to be bought, any goods, wares, merchandize, or victual, which at the time of purchase shall be under carriage or transportation to any market or fair within this commonwealth, to be sold therein, or to any city or town wherein there is no public market established or to any port or harbour of this commonwealth for...
4393. A Bill Constituting the Court of Appeals, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that a Court of Appeals, for hearing and determining suits which ought to be instituted there, and for finally deciding those which are herein after referred to that tribunal, shall be holden twice in every year, namely, on the twenty ninth, or, when that shall happen to be Sunday, on the thirtieth, day of March and August, and shall sit, in the whole,...
4417. A Bill concerning Seamen, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that every seaman, whose habitation is within this commonwealth, not less than eighteen nor more than fifty years old, capable of sea service, and willing to serve in the ships or vessels of the commonwealth, may give in a ticket containing his christian name, surname, and proper addition, with his age, and the place of his habitation, and the time when...
4521. A Bill concerning Wills; the Distribution of Intestate’s Estates; and the Duty of Executors and Administrators, 18 … (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly that every person aged twenty one years or upwards, being of sound mind, and not a married woman, shall have power at his will and pleasure, by last will and testament, in writing, to devise all the estate, right, title, and interest, in possession, reversion, or remainder, which he hath, or at the time of his death shall have, of, in, or to lands,...
4656. 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...
4760. A Bill concerning Guardians, Infants, Masters, and Apprentices, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that any father, even if he be not twenty one years old, may, by deed, or last will and testament, either of them being executed in presence of two creditable witnesses, grant or devise the custody and tuition of his child, which had never been married, although it be not born, during any part of the infancy of such child, to whomsoever he will; and such...
4895. A Bill Constituting Justices of the Peace and County Courts, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the Aldermen to be elected for every county, who by that election shall stand nominated to be Justices for the said county, if they were not such before, shall on the first Monday in after their election, if fair, if not, on the next fair day, Sunday excluded, laying aside all excuses, other than grievous sickness, convene at the court-house of the...
4919. A Bill for Establishing Cross Posts, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
For the more general diffusion of public intelligence among the citizens of this commonwealth and the maintenance of correspondence between friends and merchants, be it enacted by the General Assembly, that across the post road, which is, or shall be hereafter established through this commonwealth, by Congress, according to the powers with which they are invested by the confederating states of...
5023. A Bill Securing the Rights Derived from Grants to Aliens, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that those citizens who heretofore were aliens, and had not been naturalized, shall be deemed to have been able to hold the lands, tenements, or hereditaments granted to them by the crown, or conveyed to them by others, so that all who deriving the rights and titles they claim under such grants or conveyances, either by color of hereditary succession or...