BILLS PREPARED FOR THE REVISION OF THE LAWS OF VIRGINIA. MS., 1776/1779

Scope and content:

A committee of five, consisting of Jefferson, Thomas Ludwell Lee, George Mason, Edmund Pendleton, and George Wythe, were appointed by the Virginia Convention of 1776 to draft a revision of the Virginia laws--the genesis of Jefferson's epochal work for religious and intellectual freedom. Lee died, Mason resigned, and the work was divided among the other three. Jefferson prepared the sections on common law and statutes to 4 James I; Wythe prepared the British statutes from that date to 1776; Pendleton worked on laws passed in Virginia. The index is in Jefferson's hand, the ordinances in several other hands, probably of clerks of the committee. Jefferson indexes 126 bills, 66 of which are included in this draft. The bills were printed by Dixon and Holt, Richmond, 1784. [29]

Physical location:
Slipcase, shelved with other slipcases and volumes.
Physical description:
D. 205 pp. Index: AD by T. J. 4 pp.

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Parent restrictions:

The collection is open for research with the following exceptions: Patrons must view a copy or microfilm of materials unless prior permission to view originals has been obtained from senior Special Collections staff.

N 545, MSS 9090-a is restricted. No access without written permission of the owner.

Parent terms of access:
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