[A REMARKABLE COLLECTION OF COLONIAL VIRGINIA LAWS AND IMPRINTS COVERING THE YEARS 1748 TO 1763] by [Virginia Laws] - 1763

Williamsburg: William Hunter or Joseph Royle, 1763. Twenty-four imprints, with individual paginations provided in the listing below. Folio. Three-quarter calf and marbled boards in antique style, gilt, leather label. Contemporary manuscript notes, mainly in earlier laws. Very good to near fine. An extraordinary run of colonial Virginia laws and imprints from the press of William Hunter, the largest single group of early Virginia imprints to appear on the market since at least World War II. Hunter was the second printer in Virginia, following William Parks, who died in 1749. Hunter did not begin to print until late 1750, and his early output was scanty, and he did not get the contract to print the Virginia statutes until 1752. This transition explains why Hunter did not print the 1748 acts found here until 1753. He was succeeded in 1761 by Joseph Royle, who was the only printer in Virginia until 1765. This volume contains about one- third of all the imprints recorded by Berg between 1753 and 1763. Much of the content relates to slavery. The first act printed here is entitled "An Act declaring the Negro, Mulatto, and Indian Slaves, within this Dominion, to be Real Estate." Other laws define who shall be slaves, slave duties, provide regulations for handling runaway slaves, and so on. Other laws relate to tobacco, the College of William & Mary, land purchases from the Nottoway Indians, and much more. Beginning in 1754 laws relating to the military begin to appear, commensurate with the start of the French and Indian War in that year. Such laws concentrate on militia-building, raising revenue for "the Protection of His Majesty's Subjects on the Frontiers of this Colony," with additional laws such as "An Act for preventing and repelling the hostile Incursions of the Indians, at Enmity with the Inhabitants of this Colony," an amendment to "An Act for making Provision against Invasions and Insurrections," "An Act to enable certain Persons to contract for the Transportation of the Neutral French to Great-Britain," "An Act for preventing Mutiny and Desertions," "An Act for granting an Aid to his Majesty, for the better Protection and Defence of this Colony...," among others. All of these are acts critical to the war and to the career of George Washington and other later leaders of the Revolution. Many more acts relate to land, tobacco, western expansion, and slaves - an accurate catalogue of the obsessions of the Virginia planter class. Additionally this copy has extensive near-contemporary annotations by a William Green, the marginalia dated 1837 next to his signature. Green writes about the printing history of Virginia laws and how this particular book relates to previously-printed legal works that seem to cover the same span of years. His annotations fill the front pastedown, both sides of the front free endpaper, and the margins of the first leaf of text, with occasional marginal annotations throughout. A transcript of his notes on the preliminary leaves is laid in. The individual imprints are as follows: 1) ACTS OF ASSEMBLY, NOW IN FORCE, IN VIRGINIA. OCCASIONED BY THE REPEAL OF SUNDRY ACTS MADE IN THE TWENTY SECOND YEAR OF HIS MAJESTY'S REIGN, AND IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1748 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1753]. 58pp. BERG 77. BRISTOL B1635. SHIPTON & MOONEY 40677. ESTC W23622. 2) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS ANGLIAE, SCOTIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, VICESSIMO QUINTO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE COLLEGE, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY...1752 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1752]. 47,[1]pp. BERG 78. EVANS 6942. ESTC W8519. 3) ACTS OF ASSEMBLY, PASSED AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY...ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO...TO THURSDAY THE FIRST DAY OF NOVEMBER...ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY THREE. Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1754. [2],46pp. BERG 88. BRISTOL B1636, B1689. SHIPTON & MOONEY 40725. ESTC W23630. 4) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS ANGLIAE, SCOTIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, VICESIMO SEPTIMO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE 27th DAY OF FEBRUARY...1752...TO THURSDAY THE 14th DAY OF FEBRUARY...1754 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1754]. 4pp. BERG 89. BRISTOL B1690. SHIPTON & MOONEY 40726. ESTC W23631. 5) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS ANGLIAE, SCOTIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, VICESIMO OCTAVO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY...ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO...TO THURSDAY THE TWENTY SECOND DAY OF AUGUST...ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY FOUR [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1754]. 6pp. BERG 90. BRISTOL B1691. SHIPTON & MOONEY 40727. ESTC W23632. 6) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, VICESIMO NONO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE COLLEGE, IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE 27th DAY OF FEBRUARY...1752...TO TUESDAY THE 5th DAY OF AUGUST...1755 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1755]. 22pp. BERG 99. BRISTOL B1785. SHIPTON & MOONEY 40810. ESTC W23635. 7) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, VICESIMO NONO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE COLLEGE, IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE 27th DAY OF FEBRUARY...1752...TO MONDAY THE 27th DAY OF OCTOBER...1755 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1755]. 8pp. BERG 100. BRISTOL B1786. SHIPTON & MOONEY 40811. ESTC W23636. 8) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, VICESIMO NONO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE TWENTY-FIFTH OF MARCH...1756 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1756]. 28pp. BERG 107. EVANS 7808. ESTC W23637. 9) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE TWENTY-FIFTH OF MARCH...ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX...TO MONDAY THE TWENTIETH OF SEPTEMBER [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1756]. 4pp. BERG 108. EVANS 7809. ESTC W23638. 10) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE TWENTY-FIFTH OF MARCH...ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX...TO THURSDAY THE FOURTEETH OF APRIL...ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1757]. 48pp. BERG 114. EVANS 8054. ESTC W23702. 11) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO PRIMO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF MARCH...1756...TO THURSDAY THE THIRTIETH OF MARCH...1758 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1758]. 5pp. BERG 123. BRISTOL B2005. SHIPTON & MOONEY 41015. ESTC W14106. 12) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO SECUNDO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER...1758 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1758]. 34pp. BERG 124. BRISTOL B2006. SHIPTON & MOONEY 41016. ESTC W14107. 13) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO SECUNDO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER...1758...TO THURSDAY THE 9th OF SEPTEMBER [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1758]. 2pp. BERG 125. EVANS 8273. ESTC W14109. 14) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO SECUNDO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER...1758...TO THURSDAY THE 22d OF FEBRUARY...1759 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1759]. 36pp. BERG 133. EVANS 8509. ESTC W14108. 15) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO TERTIO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER...1758...TO THURSDAY THE 1st OF NOVEMBER...1759 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1759]. 8pp. BERG 134. EVANS 8510. ESTC W14104. 16) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO TERTIO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER...1758...TO TUESDAY THE 4th OF MARCH...1760 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1760]. 6pp. BERG 139. EVANS 8754. ESTC W14103. 17) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO TERTIO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER...1758...TO MONDAY THE 19th OF MAY...1760 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1760]. 6pp. BERG 140. EVANS 8755. ESTC W14105. 18) ANNO REGNI GEORGII II, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, TRICESIMO-QUARTO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER...1758...TO MONDAY THE 6th OF OCTOBER...1760 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1760]. 7pp. BERG 141. EVANS 8756. ESTC W14110. 19) ANNO REGNI GEORGII III, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE, & HIBERNIAE, PRIMO. AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN WILLIAMSBURG, ON THURSDAY THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER...1758...TO THURSDAY THE 5th OF MARCH...1761 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1761]. 9-50pp. BERG 146. EVANS 9030. ESTC W14102. 20) ANNO REGNI GEORGII III, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE ET HIBERNIAE, SECUNDO. AT A GENERAL-ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON TUESDAY THE 26th OF MAY...1761...TO TUESDAY THE 3rd OF NOVEMBER [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1761]. 14pp. BERG 147. EVANS 9031. ESTC W14100. 21) ANNO REGNI GEORGII III, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE ET HIBERNIAE, SECUNDO. AT A GENERAL-ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON TUESDAY THE 26th OF MAY...1761...TO THURSDAY THE 14th OF JANUARY, 1762 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1762]. 2pp. BERG 153. EVANS 9290. ESTC W14101. 22) ANNO REGNI GEORGII III, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE ET HIBERNIAE, SECUNDO. AT A GENERAL-ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON TUESDAY THE 26th OF MAY...1761...TO TUESDAY THE 30th OF MARCH, 1762 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1762]. 10pp. BERG 154. EVANS 9291. ESTC W14099. 23) ANNO REGNI GEORGII III, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE ET HIBERNIAE, TERTIO. AT A GENERAL-ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON TUESDAY THE 26th OF MAY...1761...TO TUESDAY THE 2d OF NOVEMBER, 1762 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1762]. 52pp. BERG 155. EVANS 9292. ESTC W14098. 24) ANNO REGNI GEORGII III, REGIS MAGNAE BRITTANIAE, FRANCIAE ET HIBERNIAE, TERTIO. AT A GENERAL-ASSEMBLY, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CAPITOL, IN THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, ON TUESDAY THE 26th OF MAY...1761...TO THURSDAY THE 19th OF MAY, 1763 [caption title]. [Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1763]. 9pp. BERG 159. BRISTOL B2447. SHIPTON & MOONEY 41421. ESTC W18723. A remarkable collection of imprints. Most of these works are located in only three or four copies by Berg. The only Virginia institution with a partial holding is the Virginia State Library.