Unsigned Revolutionary War-era handwritten manuscript by John Jay, one page both sides, 8.25 x 13, no date but likely circa 1779. Handwritten manuscript, undoubtedly written by Jay in his capacity as Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court, listing twenty-six acts, paraphrasing those passed in the second session of the New York State Legislature in 1778-1779. The acts cover a range of matters, many having to do with the ongoing Revolutionary War. They include the pardon of Amy Auger for murdering her bastard child; administration of the oath for continuing the powers of commissioners of conspiracies; prohibition of distillery operations from grain; procuring flour supplies for the army; cancelation of bills of credit under a dollar; regulation of prices by innkeepers; recovery of Continental debts; roads for Albany, Tryon, Ulster, and other New York towns; the prevention of abuses of flags of truce; raising 5000 men for frontier defense; provisions for persons disabled in the service; and other administrative details. In fine condition. Jay may have penned this document for his own use as Chief Justice of New York and a member of the Council of Revision, which had the power to review all acts passed by the legislature for approval or rejection. An interesting legislative manuscript by the future first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
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