Broadside Signed “Samuel Adams” IN TYPE as Governor of Massachusetts

A new state law printed on a broadside and signed in type by Governor Samuel Adams. 1p, measuring 13.5” x 17”. Boston, dated February 28, 1797. Titled “An Act, in addition to the several Acts now in force, respecting Highways.” Printed Boston: Young and Minns, State printers. The law includes provisions that highways not located within towns “shall be made passable & convenient for travelling, & kept in good repair” by the owners of that land and that it is “the duty of Surveyors of the Highways when the same are blocked up or incumbered with Snow, forthwith to cause so much thereof to be removed or trod down, as will render the roads passable..." Flattened folds, stains throughout, and tears at the perimeter. A few holes affect a handful of words. Good condition.

In part, “Sect. 2. And be it further Enacted, that all highways laid out, or hereafter to be laid out, through any Tracts of land in the Commonwealth not comprehended within the bounds of any incorporated Town or Plantation aforesaid, shall be made passable & convenient for travelling, & kept in good repair by the Owners or Proprietors of the said Tract of Land, Township, or Plantation; unless in the judgment of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace for the County in which such lands lie, it may be deemed unreasonable; in which case the same shall be done at the expence of the County, or partly at the expence of the County & partly at the expence of the proprietors, as the said Court shall order. ..“Sect. 6. And be it further enacted, that when any new highway has been, or shall have been laid out, and accepted by the Court of General Sessions of the peace, a reasonable time shall be allowed to the Town or District, or any Plantation assessed in any State or County tax, thro' which such highway shall lead, to make it passable, safe, & convenient for Travellers & others passing with their teams, waggons or other carriages, provided that such time shall not exceed twelve months from the time of such acceptance, unless said Court shall, for reasons specially given, order a longer time…Sect. 7. And be it further Enacted, that the lands of non-resident Proprietors, shall be taxed for the making & repairing highways, in the same way they are taxed for other Town or County taxes; & upon default of payment, the same proceedings shall be had as is provided for the collection of other Taxes from such persons and without any other notice Sect. 8. Whereas by Law it is made the duty of Surveyors of the Highways when the same are blocked up or incumbered with Snow, forthwith to cause so much thereof to be removed or trod down, as will render the roads passable, which cannot be conveniently effected by a Tax granted for that purpose…”

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