Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In the House of Representatives, June 18, 1787.

WHEREAS the Selectmen, and other town officers, of several towns in this Commonwealth, have entered on the business of their respective offices, having taken, but not subscribed the declaration and other oaths prescribed by a resolution of the General Court of the 10th of March last past: and whereas doubts have arisen respecting the validity of the doings of such officers:

Therefore, Resolved, That the doings of all such officers, so far forth as they have been or shall be comformable to the duties of their respective offices, be, and they are hereby established as legal and valid, the deficiency aforesaid notwithstanding; Provided those officers shall subscribe the declaration and oaths prescribed by the resolution aforesaid, on or before the 31st day of July next.

Sent up for concurrence.
J. Warren, Speaker.
In Senate, June 18, 1787.
Read and concurred,
S. Adams, President.
Approved, JOHN HANCOCK.
True Copy, Attest.
John Avery, jun. Secretary.
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.

label levels:

Town officers were required to take an oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, according to a law passed March 10, 1787. Some of these officers had taken the oath, but had not signed (subscribed) the declaration to that fact. People were questioning whether the actions taken by these officers were legal and valid, so the legislature acted, saying that if the declarations were signed by July 31, all actions prior would be considered legal.

top of page