Description:

Constitution Signer William Livingston, as the First Governor of an independent New Jersey, signs into law an act to accord French subjects: "all the like privileges right and immunities granted to the Subjects of the United States" in accordance with the Franco-American treaties of 1778. Countersigned by Josiah Hornblower who brought the first steam engine to America

WILLIAM LIVINGSTON (1723-1790) Manuscript Document Signed, "Wil: Livingston Presd," as Governor of New Jersey, and "Josiah Hornblower Speaker," as Speaker of the Assembly, 3 pages, 8.25" x 13", [Burlington?], May 25, 1781, entitled "An Act to declare and ascertain the Privileges of the Subjects of his most Christian Majesty residing within this State." Partial fold separations expertly repaired, large vertical separation on third page bears a few minor losses affecting text, else very good.

An important document in which the State of New Jersey confers the same rights to French nationals residing in the state as those enjoyed by it's own "Subjects" (a curious choice of language considering the anti-monarchial nature of the American Revolution). Citing the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between France and the United States, executed concurrently with the Treaty of Alliance between the two nations in 1778, the document begins by quoting the relevant clause: "Whereas and by the eleventh, Originally the thirteenth, Article of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between his most Christian Majesty and the United States of America, it is provided 'That the Subject and Inhabitants of the said United States or any of them, shall not be reputed Aubains in France, & consequently shall be exempted from the Droit d'Aubaine or other similar Duty under what name soever. They may by Testament, Donation, or otherwise dispose of their Goods moveable and immoveable in favor of such Persons as to them shall seem good; and their Heirs, Subjects of the Said United States, residing whether in France or elsewhere, may succeed them ab intestat, without being obliged to obtain Letters of Naturalization, and without having the Effect of this Concession contested or impeded under Pretext of any Rights or Prerogatives of Provinces, Cities, or Private Persons. And the said Heirs, whether such by particular Title, or ab intestat, shall be exempt from all Duty called Droit de Detraction, or other Duty of the same kind; saving nevertheless, the local Rights or Duties as much and as long as similar ones are not established by the United States or any of them.'"

The legislation then observes that "the exemptions Aforesaid have been confirmed by a declaration of the most Christian Majesty King bearing Date the twenty sixth Day of July one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight, by which it is also established, that the Subjects of the United States of America shall enjoy within his dominions the privileges of Nations the most favored; And Whereas as well upon the Ground of Equality and Reciprocity as because of the Generous and important Aid afforded to the United States by the most Christian King, their Great and illustrious ally in the present War with great Britain, suitable relations are due from the said States..."

In light of the reciprocity between the two nations, "...Be it Enacted by the Council and General Assembly of this State and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the Same, that all the like privileges right and immunities granted to the Subjects of the United States or any of them by the before recited Treaty and Declaration while in France, be and they hereby are granted and confirmed upon the Subjects of his most Christian Majesty or any of them while in this or any of the United States; and that the said subjects of his most Christian Majesty or any of them, while in this State be and they hereby are declared competent and capable in Law by Testament, Donation, or otherwise, to dispose of their Goods moveable and immovable in favor of such person as to them shall seem good and their Heirs Subjects of his most Christian Majesty, whether residing in this State or elsewhere may succeed them, without naturalization, in the same manner as the Heirs of free Citizens of this State inherit the Personal property of their relations who die intestate; and that the said subjects of his most Christian Majesty shall and may be capable to commence and prosecute to final Judgment and Execution Actions at Law for personal injuries, or obtaining their property as fully and amply and the same manner as the subjects of this state; and shall possess and enjoy in the fullest manner all the Privileges and immunities intended by the said recited Treaty and Declaration agreeable to the form and sprit thereof."

A fascinating document, not only for its characterization of U.S. nationals as "Subjects," but in its description of residents of New Jersey as "Citizens." While this distinction might seem somewhat trivial to today's readers, the idea that people were subjects of the United States while being a citizen of a state can not be dismissed merely as a random choice of language. Prior to the ratification of the 1787 Constitution, the several states operated in many respects as sovereign entities, bound by a loose confederation government. Because the Articles of Confederation was silent on the matters of immigration and naturalization, it was up to the states to manage these affairs. Exactly why the State of New Jersey chose to use the term subject to describe United States nationals (as opposed to citizens of New Jersey) is unclear because most of the state constitutions drafted in those years were a categorical rejection of the idea that sovereignty emanated from one person (i.e. a king), but was rather a power that was granted by the citizens of a political entity. Hence, the use of the term subject in this context would be more than worthy of further research.

The second signatory to this document Josiah Hornblower (1729-1809) was an English-born engineer, the son of steam-power pioneer Joseph Hornblower (1693? -1762). In 1745 he moved to Cornwall where he constructed Newcomen steam engines for use in tin mines which brought him to the attention of the Schuyler family in New York. Around 1753, Hornblower moved to New Jersey to work on the Schuyler family copper mine on New Barbadoes Neck, at the confluence of the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers in New Jersey. It was there that Hornblower installed a steam engine, constructed by his father in Cornwall, to pump water out of the mine. Because British law banned machines that might promote industry that would compete with the mother country, the transaction and installation was undertaken with a good deal of secrecy.

He soon branched out into mercantile pursuits and became one of the leading citizens of Bergen County. During the American Revolution he served in the New Jersey Assembly, and became speaker in 1780, and from 1781-1784 served on the New Jersey Legislative Council, and in 1785 served as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In his later years, Hornblower served as a county judge and ran several mills along the Passaic and Second Rivers.

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