Beschreibung:

JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President. Autograph manuscript of a British statute of 1732 relating to the colonies, entitled "An act for the more easy recovery of debts in his majesty's plantations and colonies in America...," n.p., n.d., [1760s or 1770s?]. 2 pages, 4to, 233 x 190mm. (9 x 7 1/2 in.), integral blank, evenly browned, upper and lower margins a bit chipped (not affecting text), small fold tears discreetly repaired . A meticulous transcript by Jefferson of a lengthy statute of George II relating to debts incurred by residents in the British colonies in America, probably copied by Jefferson from a printed source, although none is cited. The sheet is labeled at top "Anno quinto G. II. 1732 Cap VII." In the left-hand margin of the first page Jefferson has cited "former acts concerning plantat[ions]..." with a list some 16 legal references; several similar citations and marginal notes appear on the second page. His transcript commences: "An act for the more easy recovery of debts in his majesty's plantation and colonies in America. Whereas his majesty's subjects trading to the British plant[atio]ns in America be under great difficulties, for want of more easy methods of proving, recovering, and levying of debts due to them, then are now used in some of the s[ai]d plant[atio]ns: and whereas it will tend very much to the retrieving of the credit formerly given by the leading subjects of s[ai]d Brit[ish] to the natives and inhabitants of the s[ai]d plant[atio]ns, and to the advan[ta]g[e] the made? of this ----? thither? if such inconveniances were remedied; may it therefore please your majesty that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the k[ing]'s most excellent majority, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords spiritual and temporal, and commons in this present portion assembled; and by the authority of the same, that from and after the 29th day of Sep[tember] which shall be in the year of our Lord 1732 in any action or suit then depending, or thereafter to be brought in any court of law or equity in any of the s[ai]d plant[atio]ns, for or relating to any debt or account wherein any person residing in great Brit[ain] shall be a party, it shall and may be lawful to and for the (tear)? and also to and for any witness to be exam[ine]d or made use of in such action or suit to verify or prove any matter or thing by affidavit or affidavits in writing upon oath or in case the person making such affidavit be one of the people called Quakers, then upon his or her solemn affirmation, made before any Mayor, or other chief magistrate of the city, borough, or town corporate in Gr[eat] Br[itain] where or near to which the person making such affidavit or affirmation shall receive, and ceritifed and transmitted under the cannon seal of such city, borough or town coroporate, or the seal of the office of such mayor, or other chief magistrate, which oath and solemn (tear)? every such mayor and chief magistrate shall be and is hereby authorized and impowered to administer; and every affidavit or affirmation so made, certified and transmitted, shall in all such actions and suits be allowed to be of the same force and effect, as if the person or persons making the same upon oath or solemn affirmation as afores[ai]d, had appeared and sworn or affirmed the matters contained in such affidavit or affirmation viva voce in open court, or upon a common witness for the examination of witnesses, or of any party in any such action or suit respectively; provid[e]d that in every such affidavit and affirmation there shall be expressed the addition of the party making such affidavit or affirmation, and the particular place of his or her abode... And be it further enact[e]d by the autority aforesaid that upon and after the said 29th day of Sep[tember] 1732, the houses, lands, negroes, and other hereditaments and real estates ----? or being within any of the s[ai]d plant[atio]ns belonging to any person indebted, shall be liable to and chargeable with all j