1Virginia Resolutions on Lord North’s Conciliatory Proposal, 10 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved , that it is the Opinion of this Committee that an Address be presented to his Excellency, the Governor, to inform him that we have taken into our Consideration the joint Address of the two Houses of Parliament, his Majesty’s Answer, and the Resolution of the Commons which his Lordship has been pleased to lay before us. That wishing nothing so sincerely as the perpetual continuance of...
2Bill for the Naturalization of Foreigners, [14 October 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
For the encouragement of < Foreign Protestants > foreigners to settle in this Countrey Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Delegates of Virginia now met in General Assembly That all < Foreign Protestants > < foreigners > < now settled > persons born in other countries and now residing in this < Colony and not naturalized > Commonwealth, and all who may hereafter migrate into the same, who...
3Bill to Enable Tenants in Fee Tail to Convey Their Lands in Fee Simple, [14 October 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the perpetuation of property in certain families by means of gifts made to them in fee-tail is contrary to good policy, tends to deceive fair traders who give a credit on the visible possession of such estates, discourages the holder thereof from taking care of and improving the same, and sometimes does injury to the morals of youth by rendering them independent of, and disobedient to,...
4Bill for the Revision of the Laws, [15 October 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas on the late change which hath of necessity been introduced into the form of government in this country it is become also necessary to make corresponding changes in the laws heretofore in force, many of which are inapplicable to the powers of government as now organised, others are founded on principles heterogeneous to the republican spirit, others which, long before such change, had...
5I. Bill for Dividing the County of Fincastle into Two Distinct Counties, [15 October 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas from the great extent of the County of Fincastle many inconveniences attend the more distant Inhabitants thereof on account of their remote situation from the Courthouse of the said County and many of the said Inhabitants have petitioned this present General Assembly that the same may be divided, Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of the Common Wealth of Virginia and it is...
6II. Bill for Dividing the County of Fincastle into Three Distinct Counties, [26 October 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas from the great extent of the County of Fincastle, many inconveniencies attend the more distant inhabitants thereof on account of their remote situation from the Court house of the said County, and many of the said inhabitants have petitioned this present General Assembly for a division of the same—Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and it...
7Bill to Establish the Places of Holding Courts in the Counties of Pittsylvania and Henry, [4 November 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
For fixing the places of holding courts for the counties of Pittsylvania and Henry Be it enacted by the General assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia that it shall and may be lawful for the freeholders of the said county of Pittsylvania qualified by law to vote for representatives in general assembly, and they are hereby required to meet at the house of Richard Farthing in the said county...
8Bill for Altering the Rates of Copper Coin in Virginia, [7 November 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
For rendering the halfpenny peices of Copper coin of this Commonwealth of more convenient value and by that means introducing them into more general circulation; be it enacted by the General assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia that from and after the passing of this act the said peices of Copper coin shall pass in all paiments for one penny each of current money of Virginia. Provided...
9Bill for the Removal of the Seat of Government of Virginia, 11 November 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas great numbers of the Inhabitants of this Commonwealth must frequently, and of necessity resort to the seat of Government, where General assemblys are convened, Superior Courts are held and the Governor and Council usually transact the executive business of Government, and the equal rights of all the said Inhabitants require that such seat of Government should be as nearly central to...