[American Law] Group of 4 Volumes of Southern State Session Laws, including an Ordinance Freeing the Family of an Enslaved Black Patriot Spy

1. Acts and Ordinances of the General Assembly of the State of Carolina, Passed in the Year 1783. (Charleston, S.C. : Printed by John Miller, 1783). 4to. Lacking pp. 5-8, 17/18, and errata. Drab library-style binding; scattered library stamps; soiling and toning; scattered dampstaining. ESTC W30624; Evans 18190

Printing an ordinance dated March 12, 1783, freeing and enfranchising the family of a "Negro man named Antigua", who "was employed for the purposes of procuring information of the enemy's movements and designs by John Rutledge, Esq; late Governor of this State; and whereas the said Negro man Antigua, always executed the commissions with which he was entrusted with diligence and fidelity, and obtained very considerable and important information from within the enemy's lines, frequently at the risque of his life..."

2. Acts, Ordinances, and Resolves of the general Assembly of the State of South-Carolina; Passed in March, 1785. Charleston: A(nn). Timothy, 1785. 4to. Bound as above; similar stamps; scattered contemporary marginalia. ESTC W30620; Evans 19250; Sabin 87369. Bound with: A Message From the Governor... (likely Ann Timothy, 1785; Sabin 87536)

Ann Timothy (1727-92) was one of only a small number of women printers in North America before and shortly following the American Revolution. She worked alongside her husband, Peter, and following his death, took over control of their printing operations, and later became the official printer of South Carolina.

3. Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia...at an Extra Session in May and June, 1825. Milledgeville: Camak & Ragland, 1825. 8vo. 54, (2) pp. Bound as above; same stamps.

Printing the special session regarding the organization and distribution of Creek Indian land. The legislation passed was the Land Lottery Act of 1825, enacting a land lottery to distribute the land.

4. The Acts and Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of Florida, Passed at its Seventh Session...November 27, 1854. Tallahassee: Dyke & Williams, 1855. 8vo. 101, (1), 10 pp. Bound as above; same library stamps; scattered wear and soiling.

Containing dozens of acts that were passed during the Seventh session, including many pertaining to slavery and African Americans.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[American Law] Group of 4 Volumes of Southern State Session Laws, including an Ordinance Freeing the Family of an Enslaved Black Patriot Spy