The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-09-02

ly means ofpreferving thofe remains OF our laws
now under confederation, at is, 4 multiplied.
ton OF printed copies. l think therefore that
there fhould be print.dat the public expcnce,
an edition Of all the laws ever pa,Ied by our le-
giflatures which can now be found that Co
by ihould be depofted in every public library
in America, in the principal public Offices with.
in the tate, and fome perhaps in the mott diff
tinguifhed public libraries of Europe, and that
the reft ihoud be fold to individuals towards re-
fmburting the expences of the edition. Nor
do think that this would be vouu,nous
work. The MSS. would probably furniih
matter for one printed volume in folio
and would comprehend all the laws from
1924, TO 1ol, which period includes Pcrvis.--
My collection of fugitive meets forms, rs we
know, two volumes, and comprehends all
the extant laws from 1894, to 1888, and
the laws which can be cleaned up, from
the revifals, to fupply the chain between 1910.
and 1894, with thofe from 7o3, to the clofe of
the preient century (by which term the work
might be compleatcd) would not he more than
the matter of another volume. So that four
volumes in folio probably would give every law
ever paiied which is now extant whereas thofe
who win to poiiefs as many of them as can be
procured, NUT now buy the fix folio volumes
OF Revitals, to wit, Pervs, and thofe of 1893,
174S, 1868, 1873, & 1894, in all Of them pof-
fefs not one half of what they with. What
would be the expence of the edition, cannot
fay nor how much would be Reimbursed by
the fales but am fure it would be moderate
compared with the.rates which the public have
hitherto paid for printing their laws, provided
iutficent latitude be given as to printers and
places. The firft ftep would be to make out a
Jingle copy from the MSS. which would employ
clerk about year, or fomething more to
which expence about fourth fhould be added
for the collation. of the MSS. which would en-.
ploy three perions at time about half dav,
or day, in every week. AS have already
ipent more time in making myfelf acquainted
with the contents and arrangement Of thefe MSS.
than any other perfon probably ever will, and
their condition does not admit their removal TO
diaance, will chearfully undertake the d.
rectlon and tuperintendance of this work, lift
can be done in the neighbcring towns of Char
Iottfville or Milton, father than which could
not undertake TO go from home; For the relidue
of the work, my printed volumes might be de-
livered to the printer.
have troubled you with iheie details, be-
caute you are in the place where they may he
ufed FOR the public fervice if they init of fuch
ufe, and becaufe the order of aiIembly, which
you mention, inews they are ieniible OF the ne
ceility of Prefervng fuch of theie laws as relate
to our landed property, and little further
confederation will perhaps convince them that
It fs better to do the whole work once for all
than to he recurring to it by piece-meal, as par
t'cular parts OF 1t iha be required, and that
too perhaps when the materials fhall be lot.
II Ratement Of the particular ais of tbe alsmbly
Of Virginia in n,yPeDsDf0n either MS. or Print
ed. and Of tho/e not in u1y peDclion, and pre-
Tuned TO be ieH.