82 



their experience in publications requiring the utmost 

 accuracy and faithfulness in the rendering of ancient doc- 

 uments. We have reason to congratulate the Institute 

 that one of its Vice Presidents, and always a most active 

 member, was selected upon this commission, and has had 

 so large and honorable a share in carrying on this very 

 important work. 



The first volume, now published, contains all the acts 

 and resolves of the Province, from 1692 to 1714, together 

 with the Province Charters of 1691 and 1726, accom- 

 panied by very valuable and important notes, throwing 

 much new light upon the history of legislation in Massa- 

 chusetts. The preface also gives a full account of all 

 previous editions of these statutes, which will be found 

 of great service to those desiring information on this 

 subject. 



The information obtained from the Public Kecord Office 

 at London, as to the disallowance of acts from time to 

 time by the Privy Council, of itself renders this edition 

 invaluable. The opinions of the law officers of the 

 Crown and other leading minds of Great Britain on sub- 

 jects relating to legislation, commerce and constitutional 

 rights, are worthy of particular notice as they have never 

 previously appeared imprint. 



Of the general appearance of this volume now pub- 

 lished, and the plan of its arrangement, we feel it impos- 

 sible to speak too highly. The index is all that could be 

 asked, and the various lists of acts, with the dates of their 

 passage and expiration or disallowance, &c., will be 

 found very useful and convenient. 



The first proposal for the publication, now so satisfacto- 

 rily commenced, was by Governor Andrew, who, in his 

 Address to the Legislature, Jan. 5, 1861, earnestly rec- 

 ommended the collection and publication of the Statutes 



