Description:

1781 Boston Printed Act Excluding "Negroes, Indians and Mulattoes" from Military Service

A Boston published Act for regulating soldiers of the Continental Army. 19pp, measuring 7.75" x 12.75", Boston, dated 1781. Printed by Benjamin Edes and Sons. Entitled "An Act for forming and regulating the Militia within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for repealing all the Laws heretofore made for the purpose. The act expressly mentions the exclusion of "Negroes, Indians and Mulattoes" from service. With light toning, foxing, and soiling throughout, with slightly darker toning at the edges. Slightly rough left edge from being removed from a larger volume. Small pinholes at the binding edge. Very good overall.

The Act reads in part:

"…be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all the Male Persons from Sixteen Years of Age to Sixty-five, not included in that Part of the Militia called the Training-Band… shall constitute an Alarm-Lift in the Commonwealth; excepting the Lieutenant-Governor, Members of the Council, Senate and House of Representatives, and American Congress for the Time being, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Ministers of the Gospel, the Denomination of Christians called Quakers, Selectmen for the Time being, and Negroes, Indians and Mulattoes…"

Despite America's founding on the importance of the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms and serve in the military, it seems that the statement "all able-bodied men" did not actually refer to "all".

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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May 31, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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