USA > Connecticut > The public records of the state of Connecticut, for the years 1783-1784 > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
This Assembly do appoint the Honble Joseph Platt Cook Esq™ Justice of Quorum in and for the County of Fairfield the Year ensuing.
This Assembly do appoint John Chandler & Lemuel Sanford Esqrs to be Justices of the Peace and Quorum in and for the County of Fair- field the Year ensuing.
This Assembly do appoint Abraham Davenport John Brooks Robert Walker Daniel Judson Samuel Whiting Elisha Mills Daniel Bennet, Agur Judson Daniel Fairchild Abraham Brinsmade, David Wilcoxson, John Judson Abijah Starling Hezh Hubbell Gold Silleck Syllyman Samuel Squire Andrew Rowland Gershom Hubbell George Burr Samuel Wakeman Daniel Duncan Thaddeus Betts Stephen St John 2ª Eliphalet Lockwood Samuel Cooke Syllyman Clap Raymond Matthew Mead Charles Webb Reuben Scofield John Mead, Jabez Fitch Amos Mead Benjamin Mead, John McKay, Samuel Olmstead Philip Burr Bradley John Benedict Daniel Cooley Thaddeus Benedict Daniel Taylor Ely Mygatt Thomas Taylor Thaddeus Benedict of Redding Stephen Betts, Caleb Baldwin Jabez Botsford Henry Peck, Joseph Smith Nehemiah Beardsley Zacheus Towner Ephraim Hubbell Alexander Stewart Eben- ezer Jessup James Davenport Esqrs to be Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Fairfield the Year ensuing.
This Assembly do appoint Ebenezer Devotion Constant Southworth Thomas Grosvenor & James Gordon Esqrs to be Justices of the Peace and Quorum in and for the County of Windham the Year ensuing.
This Assembly do appoint Eliphalet Dyer Samuel Gray Jedidiah Elderkin Jacob Symons Hezekiah Manning Ebenezer Mosely Hezekiah
323
OF CONNECTICUT
1784.
Bissell, Elijah Whiton Benjamin Sumner Benjamin Clark Isaac Perkins Eliashib Adams David Payne Shirebiah Bull, Ephraim Root Abraham Burnap Jun" Ephraim Kingsbury, William Danielson Benjamin Leavins, John Clark Jonathan Trumbull Jun James Pineo Jun" Ephraim Carpen- ter Peleg Thomas Elkanah Tisdale Joseph Storrs, John Salter, Expe- rience Storrs Samuel Thompson Jesse Williams, James Bradford, John Douglas, Elisha Perkins William Dixson Andrew Backus Samuel Croft John Williams, Joseph Baker Solomon Wales John Sessions Samuel Stewart John Cole Allen Campbell Jedidiah Morse Charles C Chandler Daniel Elisha Child Daniel Frost Asa Witter Simon Learned & Jere- miah Mason Esqrs to be Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Windham the Year ensuing.
This Assembly do appoint Daniel Sherman Joshua Porter Samuel Canfield & Jedidiah Strong Esqrs to be Justices of the Peace and Quorum in and for the County of Litchfield the Year ensuing.
This Assembly do appoint Jacob Woodruff Isaac Baldwin David Welch Reuben Smith Abraham Bradley James Morriss Tappen Reeve Daniel Everet Benjamin Hinman Edward Hinman Benja Spees David Hurd Hezekiah Thompson Oliver Parmely Abel Hine Sherman Board- man Timothy Ruggles Daniel Everet of New Milford Nathan Eliott Jethra Hatch Jedidiah Hubbell Justus Sacket Daniel Griswold of Sharon, John Canfield David Downs Abiel Camp, Lott Norton Charles Burrall Elisha Baker Samuel Forbs Nathan Hale Heman Swift, Judah Kellogg Edward Rogers John Pierce Samuel Nash, Ebenezer Norton Asaph Hall Elisha Sill William Cogswell John Calhoun Phineas Royce Thomas Finn Thomas Matthews David Catlin Cyprian Webster George Catlin Epaphras Sheldon Shubael Griswold Zebulon Merrills, Seth Smith Giles Pettibone Hosea Wilcox Dudley Humphry Nehemiah Andruss of Hartland Eleazer Ensign Eliphas Alsord Elijah Rockwell David Smith of Watertown & Daniel Nath Brinsmade Esqrs to be Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Litchfield the Year ensuing.
An Act for regulating the appointment of the Superior Court.
Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and Representatives in Gen- eral Court Assembled and by the Authority of the same, That no Per- son shall hereafter be capable of holding the Office of Governor Lieuten- ant Governor Assistant or Member of the House of Representatives of this State or of Delegate in the Congress of the United States or either of them, and the Office of Judge of the Superior Court at the same Time.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Judges of the Superior Court shall hereafter hold their Offices during the Pleasure of the General Assembly.
Provided nevertheless that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent any Judge of the Superior Court appointed at this Assembly
324
PUBLIC RECORDS
May,
from holding for the Term of one Year from the first Day of the Ses- sion of the present Assembly, any other Office which he now holds or to which he now stands elected.
Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that the Lieutenant Governor and Council of this State for the Time being shall be the Supreme Court of Errors in this State, and shall be the Dernier resort of all Matters brought by way of Error or Complaint from the Judg- ment or Decree of the Superior Court in Matters of Law or Equity, wherein the Rules of Law or the Principles of Equity appear from the files Records and Exhibits of said Court to have been erroneously or mistakenly adjudged and determined; And said Supreme Court are hereby Impowered authorized and enabled to take Cognizance of all such Causes that shall be brought before them as aforesaid and shall be invested with all the Powers Authorities and Jurisdictions necessary and requisite for carrying into complete Execution all their Judgments Decrees and determinations in the Matters aforesaid according to the Laws Customs and Usages of this State; And their Determinations and Decrees shall be final and conclusive to all Concerned.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that the said Supreme Court of Errors shall be held annually at the Place where the General Assembly shall be held to Meet on the Tuesday of the Week next before the stated Sessions of said Assembly. And all Writs returnable to said Court shall be served twelve Days before the Sessions of said Court and returned to the Clerk of said Court before the Day of said Sessions. And the Secretary of this State for the Time being shall (ex Officio) be the Clerk of said Court. And said Court shall have Power to Adjourn from Time to Time and to such Place as they shall think necessary and expedient.
And it is further Provided that the Lieutenant Governor or in his absence the Senior Councillor present shall preside seven of whom shall Constitute a Quorum.
An Act establishing the Wages of the Judges of the Superior Court.
Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and Representatives in Gen- eral Court Assembled and by the Authority of the same, That there shall be paid to the Chief Judge of the Superior Court twenty seven Shillings and to each Assistant Judge twenty four shillings Per Diem as a recom- pence for their Services while attending the Duties of their Office ;
Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall be the Duty of the Judges of the Superior Court in all Matters of Law by them decided on Writ of Error, Demurrer special Verdict or Motion in Arrest of Judgment, each one to give his opinion seriatim with the Reasons thereof, and the same reduce to Writing and subscribe, to be kept on file that the Case may be fully Reported, and if removed by Writ of Error be carreid up with greater Advantage and thereby a foundation be laid for a more perfect and permanent System of Common Law in this State, And it shall be the Duty of the Supreme Court of Errors to
325
OF CONNECTICUT
1784.
Cause the Reasons of their Judgments to be Committed to Writing and Signed by one of the Judges, and to be lodged in the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court.
An Act in Addtion to an Act entituled an Act for Constituting Judges and Justices of the Peace in this State and for empowering and directing them on their respective Offices.
Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and Representatives in Gen- eral Court Assembled and by the Authority of the same, That the Judges of the Superior Court for the time being respectively may and they are hereby fully Authorized and Impowered to exercise and execute the Office of Justice of the Peace in and throughout this State.
An Act for encouraging and promoting the Commerce of this State -
Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and Representatives in Gen- eral Court Assembled and by the Authority of the same, That the Cities and Ports of New London and New Haven shall be free Cities and Ports for the Term of seven Years from the first Day of June 1784; and all Foreigners or Citizens of the United American States removing to either of said Cities, and who obtain the Major Vote of the Inhabitants or the consent of the Civil Authority and Select Men of the Towns of New London or of New Haven, shall have Right to continue in said Towns and shall be entituled to and receive the same protection of Law in their Persons and Properties, which the Citizens of this State are entituled to have and receive.
Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all Persons removing to and residing in either of said Cities for the Purpose of Commerce on obtaining Certificates of the Select Men of said Towns by Law required for admission of Freemen, and upon their taking the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity to this State and the Oath by Law to be taken by Freemen shall to all Intents and purposes become free Citizens of this State.
Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That Foreigners and Cityzens of any of the United States who shall come into or reside in either of said Ports or Cities shall be holden to pay no other or greater Duties or Taxes, than the Cityzens of this State residing in said Cities shall by Law be holden to Pay.
Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That any Mer- chants residing in said Cities or either of them or Company of Mer- chants, not consisting of more than three, who shall establish and keep up Mercantile Houses in said Cities or either of them of which Company one at least to be a resident in said Cities or one of them, and Foreigners and Subjects of any other the United States, who shall remove to and reside in either of said Cities for the Purposes of Commerce who shall Import annually into said Ports or either of them from Europe Asia or Africa, Goods Wares and Merchandize the Growth Produce or Manu- facture of said Countries to the Amount of three thousand Pounds Ster-
326
PUBLIC RECORDS
May,
ling, or who shall bring into said Cities two thousand Pounds in Money shall during the Term they shall so Import or bring to the Amount afore- said and within the said Term of seven Years, be exempted from Asses- ment for faculty for or on account of the Profits arising on such Impor- tation, so far as the Revenue of this or the United States are interested therein the value of such Goods Wares and Merchandize to be deter- mined by the Entries at the respective Naval Offices of said New London and New Haven ; at which Office shall be exhibited at the Time of Entry the original Invoices of said Goods and such Invoices shall be proved by an Examination under Oath of the Importer or some other Person who purchased the Same which Oath the said Naval Officer is hereby Impowered to Administer, And the amount of the Money Imported according to this Act shall be determined to the satisfaction of the Listers of said Towns respectively.
Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that all Ships and other Vessels within this State which shall be employed four Months in one Year in the European Asiatic or African Commerce shall for those Years in which they shall be so employed be exempted out of the List and freed from Taxes in each Year wherein they shall be so employed.
Provided nevertheless that no Person who having adhered to the King of Great Britain in the Course of the late War and under pretext of such Adherence has been Guilty of lawless and unauthorized Plunder- ing or Murther, or who has waged War against the United American States contrary to the Laws and Usages of Civilized Nations shall be entituled to the Privileges and Benefits of this Act.
And it is further Provided that nothing in the foregoing Act shall be construed to interfere with or contradict any Regulations Orders or Resolutions that have or may be come into by the United States in Con- gress Assembled consonant to the Powers that already are or hereafter may be invested in them by the respective States for the purpose of regulating Commerce.
Provided also that nothing herein shall be understood to imply a Countenance to or allowance of the Slave Trade so called on the African Coast or elsewhere.
An Act to enable the United States in Congress Assembled to Levy certain
Duties and Imposts on certain Goods and Merchandizes Imported into this State, to be applied in payment of the Debts of the United States contracted for supporting the late War in compliance with a Resolution of Congress the eighteenth of April 1783 .*
Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and Representatives in Gen- eral Court Assembled and by the Authority of the same, That the United States in Congress Assembled be and they are hereby fully Authorized and Impowered to Levy for the Use of the United States aforesaid the following Duties upon Goods, imported into this State from any foreign
* See Jour. Cont. Cong., XXIV, 257-261.
327
OF CONNECTICUT
1784.
Port Island or Plantation not within any of the United States upon all Rum of Jamaica Proof per Gallon four ninetieths of a Dollar, upon all other spirituous Liquors three ninetieths of a Dollar, upon all other spirituous Liquors three ninetieths of a Dollar upon Madeira Wine twelve ninetieths of a Dollar upon all other Wine six ninetieths of a Dol- lar, upon common Bohea Tea per Pound six ninetieths of a Dollar upon all other Teas twenty four Ninetieths of a Dollar, upon Pepper per Pound three ninetieths of a Dollar, upon Brown Sugar per Pound one half ninetieth of a Dollar, upon Loaf Sugar two ninetieths of a Dollar, upon all other Sugars one ninetieth of a Dollar ; upon Molasses one nine- tieth of a Dollar per Gallon upon Cocoa and Coffee per Pound one nine- tieth of a Dollar and upon all other Goods a Duty of five per Cent ad valorem at the Time and place of Importation for and during the Term of twenty five Years.
Provided always and be it further Enacted by the Authority afore- said that the whole of said Duties shall be applied to the Discharge of the Interest and principal of the Debts contracted on the Faith of the United States for supporting the War agreable to the Resolution of the United States in Congress of the sixteenth Day of December last in the fol- lowing manner viz- Whenever the Duties aforesaid with other Funds that may be Provided for that purpose shall exceed the Sum requisite for payment of the annual Interest of the National Debt contracted as aforesaid, then the Surplus shall become a sinking fund and be inviolably Appropriated to the Payment of the Principal of the said Debt and shall on no Account be diverted to any other Use.
Provided also that the United States in Congress Assembled shall as soon as the Public Debt can be liquidated furnish this State annually with the Amount thereof and the Interest thereon ; and also the Proceeds and disposition of the Funds Provided for the redemption thereof agreeable to the Resolution of Congress of the 16th of Decembr 1782 .*
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all such Rules and Ordinances as shall be made by the United States in Congress Assembled for Levying and Collecting said Duties not inconsistent with the Constitution and internal Police of this State shall be duely observed.
Provided nevertheless that the Collectors of said Duties shall from Time to Time as there may be Occasion, be appointed by the General Assembly or in their Recess by the Governor and Council of this State, which Collectors shall be accountable and amenable to and removeable by the United States in Congress Assembled, who are also hereby Authorized to appoint such Collectors in Case this State do not appoint them within one Month after Notice received for that purpose'
This Act to Commence and be in force as soon as the United States in Congress shall make and Publish an Ordinance for Collecting the aforesaid Duties in consequence of Similar Acts having been passed by all the other States in the Union.
* See Jour. Cont. Cong., XXIII, 809-810.
328
PUBLIC RECORDS
May,
An Act for levying and Collecting a Duty on Certain Articles of Goods Wares and Merchandize Imported into this State by Land or Water.
Be it Enacted by the Governor Council & Representatives in General Court Assembled and by the Authority of the Same, That from and after the twenty third Day of June One thousand seven hundred and eighty four, there shall be paid on the following Articles Imported or brought into this State by Land or Water from any of the United States of America the following Duties viz. On all Wines per Gallon one shilling Brandy per Gallon eight Pence, Geneva per Gallon eight Pence Rum per Gallon four Pence, Snuff per Pound six Pence, Bohea Tea per Pound four Pence, all other India Teas per Pound two Shillings Coffee per Pound two Pence Chocolate per Pound two Pence Loaf Sugar per Pound three Pence, Brown Sugar per Pound one Penny all Malt Liquors not the Manufacture of the United States per Gallon one shilling and on Writing and printing Paper per Ream two shillings & six pence
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That from and after the twenty third Day of June one thousand seven hundred and eighty four, there shall be paid a Duty of five per Cent ad valorem at the Time and Place of Importation upon all other Goods Wares and Merchandize not before enumerated in this Act that are not the Growth Produce or Manufacture of the United States that shall be brought or Imported into this State by Land or Water from any of the United States.
Provided nevertheless, That if any Goods Wares and Merchandize by this Paragraph of this Act liable to pay a Duty of five per Cent the Property of any Citizen or Cityzens of this State solely, and by such Citizen or Cityzens Imported into any other of the United States, from any foreign Port or Place with a Design and Intent to be Imported into this State, shall be Imported from such State into this State, such Goods Wares and Merchandize shall be exempted from paying the Duty imposed by this Paragraph of this Act Provided the Owner or Owners of such Goods shall make it appear to the satisfaction of the Judge of the County Court of that County in this State into which they shall be Imported that such Goods Wares and Merchandize come within the Proviso of this Paragraph of this Act and shall procure a Certificate from such Judge that such satisfaction hath been made and shall lodge the same with the Naval Officer of the Port if Imported by Water, or the Collector of the Town if Imported by Land, into which the said Goods Wares and Merchandize are Imported within forty eight Hours after the same shall have been thus Imported, And for the more effec- tually Collecting and securing the Duties Imposed by this Act.
Be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That at the Time of enter- ing every Ship or Vessell of the Burthen of thirty five Tons or more, shall be exhibited to the Naval Officer at whose Office such Ship or Vessell is entered, the Original Invoices of all the Articles contained in the Mani- fest herein after directed to be exhibited, which Invoices shall then be by the Oath of the Master of such Ship or Vessell, or some other Person Proved to be the Original Invoices of such Articles ; And twenty five per
329
OF CONNECTICUT
1784.
Cent added to the Prices at which the Articles specified in such Invoices are set shall be deemed and taken to be the value of such Articles at the Time and Place of Importation, And the Oath to be taken by the Person proving such Invoices under Oath shall be as follows to wit-
"You swear by the Name of the everliving God, that the Invoices by You made and exhibited to me are the true Original Invoices of the Articles which are therein specified and enumerated ; and that the Prices set to the Articles therein enumerated are the Prices at which those respective Articles were bona fide bought. So help You God."
And the Master of every Vessell or Boat under the Burthen of thirty five Tons or some other Person shall at the Time of exhibiting the Manifest herein after directed to be exhibited of the Cargo Imported in such Vessell or Boat, exhibit the original Invoice of the Articles contained in such Manifest, and prove the same in the same manner as is before provided in the last preceding Paragraph; And every Person, Importing any Articles by Land into any Town in this State shall in like manner at the Time of rendering to the proper Collectors herein after Provided an Account of the Articles by him thus Imported exhibit and Prove by Oath the Original Invoice of such Articles. And the respective Naval Officers and Collectors are hereby Impowered to Administer said Oath; and if any of the Cases aforesaid the Original Invoices shall not be exhibited and proved or in Case the Naval Officer or Collector to whom exhibited shall not be satisfied with the Proof of such Invoice, such Naval Officer or Collector may at his discretion Nom- inate and appoint two discreet Persons to determine and ascertain the Value at the Time and Place of Importation of the various Articles con- tained in the Manifest or Account exhibited ; which Persons shall be by the Naval Officer or Collector appointing them sworn well and truly to apprize such Articles at their true and Just value at the Time and place of Importation and the Cost and Expence attending such Apprisal shall be paid by the Master or other Person exhibiting the Manifest or Account herein after directed to be exhibited, And the Apprizers shall each have for such Service at the Rate of ten shillings per Day, and in any Case when such Apprizers shall not spend a whole Day in such Service the Naval Officer or Collector by whom they were appointed, shall determine what proportion of a Day they shall be paid for and his determination in such Case shall be final.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Master of every Ship or Vessell of the burthen of thirty five Tons or more, that shall after the twenty third Day of June next arrive at or come into any Port Harbour River or Creek in this State, shall within twenty four Hours after his thus arriving duly enter his Ship or Ves- sell at the Naval Office of that Port in which he arrives, and shall under Oath Exhibit to such Naval Officer a true and perfect Manifest in Writ- ing subscribed by him of every Article of Goods Wares and Merchandize Imported or brought into this State on board such Ship or Vessell, as well Of the Cargo and Lading of such Ship or Vessell as the Baggage of
330
PUBLIC RECORDS
May,
Passengers, and the form of the Oath to be taken by such Master rela- tive to such Manifest shall be as follows-
You swear by the Name of the everliving God that the Manifest by You now exhibited contains a true and perfect Account of all the Goods Wares and Merchandize taken on board Your Ship or Vessell and Imported by You in her from the Ports or Port from whence Your Ship or Vessell came And that the Bulk of Your Vessell hath not been broken, nor any Article whatever been unloaded therefrom according to Your best knoledge and belief. So help You God.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Master of every Vessell or Boat under the Burthen of thirty five Tons come- ing into any Port Harbour River or Creek in this State from any Place out of the State shall within twenty four Hours after arriving in any in any [sic] such Port Harbour River or Creek, make and under Oath exhibit a true and perfect Manifest of every Article of Goods Wares and Merchandize Imported or brought into this State on board such Vessell or Boat as well of the Cargo and Lading of such Vessell or Boat as of the Baggage of Passengers, to the Naval Officer or Collector resi- dent in the Town in which such Vessell or Boat arrives, the form of which Oath shall be the same mutatis mutandis as the Oath herein before in the next preceding Paragraph Provided; And the said Naval Officers and Collectors are hereby respectively Impowered to administer such Oath; and the Master of every Ship or Vessell of the Burthen of thirty five Tons and upwards, and the Master of every Ship Vessell or Boat or some other Person in their behalf shall at the Time of exhibit- ing the Manifest by this Act required pay to the Naval Officer or Col- lector to whom such Manifest is exhibited the Duties by this Act payable on the Articles contained in such Manifest, or in Case the whole Amount of such Duties exceeds the Sum of four Pounds lawfull Money, give Bonds with two sufficient Sureties to such Naval Officer or Collector in double the Sum of such Duties, that the said Duties with the Interest thereof shall be paid within one Month from the Date of such Bond, and every Ship Vessell or Boat in which any Article of Goods Wares and Merchandize shall be Imported into this State, and of which a due and proper entry shall not be made at the proper Naval Office, according to the Requirements of this Act or of the Cargo of which a true and perfect Manifest shall not be exhibited according to the requirements and Provisions of this Act, and the Duties due on such Articles be paid or secured to be paid as is herein before directed, or out of which shall be unladen or taken by any Person whatever, any Article of Goods Wares and Merchandize before the Measures and procedure directed by this Act have been perfectly complied with, shall with its Tackle, Apparel Furniture and Cargoe whether on Board or u[n]laden be forfeited as lawfull Prize, and be Liable to be seized libelled and condemned by and to any Person whatever, in manner hereinafter directed, the one moiety whereof after deducting the Cost of Prosecution shall be to the Use of the Person seizing libelling and proscuting the same to final Condemna- tion, if a private Person, and the other Moiety to the Treasurer of this
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.