Hart, John, 1708-1780 [Act of Assembly constituting a Council of Safety]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00753 Author/Creator: Hart, John, 1708-1780 Place Written: Trenton, New Jersey Type: Autograph document signed Date: 14 March 1777 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 34 x 22 cm Order a Copy
Written by Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as speaker of the New Jersey Assembly. Also signed by Stevens as Vice President of the New Jersey Assembly. Establishes a committee of safety to govern New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. Lists members of the newly created Council of Safety, including among others, John Cleves Symmes, Silas Condict, Dick Samuel, and Nathaniel Scudder, who were all members of the Continental Congress. Has 10 sections that describe how the council will work. Allows the body to operate under a quorum of five and appoints the governor as President of the council. Gives members of the council powers of justice of the peace in criminal mattes. Allows governor and council to apprehend anyone against the government. Governor and council to call out the militia. Last item says this legislation will be in effect for six months. Marked "A True Copy."
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