The volume begins with the Royal Charter granted by King Charles II in 1662, followed by the Articles of Confederation, and then a compilation of the governing acts for Connecticut through 1786, including key legislation that ultimately ended slavery in the state.
“And whereas sound Policy requires that the Abolition of Slavery should be effected as soon as may be, consistant with the Rights of Individuals, and the public Safety and Welfare.”
Unlike the other states, which replaced their royal charters soon after the Declaration of Independence, Connecticut did not adopt a new state constitution until 1818. Bound with this signed book which includes the Articles of Confederation and a compilation of the governing acts for Connecticut through 1784, are three separately printed sections of the Acts from 1784, 1785, and 1786. The volume has dozens of manuscript annotations noting changes to the acts—particularly which laws had been repealed or replaced.
[CONNECTICUT]. SAMUEL HUNTINGTON. Signed Book, Acts and Laws of the State of Connecticut, in America. New London, Connecticut: Timothy Green, 1784. The front free endpaper is inscribed ‘‘ Sam. Huntington Statute Law Book” in his own hand, to which someone added later ‘‘ (former Governor of the State).” The first section, through page 265, issued with a separate title page, is the second edition of the 1784 text, and may have been printed in 1785 or later, according to Evans. The final three sections are the first and official editions of Acts and Laws, for sessions begun on May 1784 (Hartford: Hudson and Goodwin, pp 266-315 plus blank); May 1785, (New Haven: Thomas and Samuel Green, pp 316-336), and May 1786, (Hartford: Hudson and Goodwin, pp 337-346). A subsequent owner has inscribed it, “John Turner Waite June 24. 1837. Norwich Conn.” Waite was a prominent attorney from Norwich who served as a Republican representative in Congress from 1876 to 1887. 7 1⁄4 x 113⁄4 in.
Offered by Seth Kaller
$18,000
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