October 28, 1784 .

Resolve empowering and directing the Attorney General, on behalf of the Commonwealth, to prosecute and defend suits, brought or to be brought, touching confiscated estates.

Whereas actions lately have been, and may hereafter be brought for the recovery of confiscated estates or property, wherein it may be necessary for the Commonwealth to appear and defend the titles of their grantees to such estates:

Resolved, That the Attorney General of this Commonwealth be, and he hereby is, empowered and directed in all cases where any action is depending, or may hereafter be brought in any court of law in the said Com­318monwealth, for the recovery of any confiscated estate or property, wherein the title of any owner or possessor thereof, claiming under the sale and warranty of the Commonwealth, shall come in question, or for the reversal of any judgment of confiscation, to appear on behalf of the said Commonwealth as attorney thereof, whenever it may be expedient for the same Commonwealth to appear, prosecute or defend as vouchers or otherwise; with full power in the name of the Commonwealth, to plead and pursue to final judgment and execution, and to bring forward and prosecute to final judgment, any action or judicial process that shall be necessary to determine in whom the right and title to any such estate or property are, with power to substitute one or more attorneys under him for any of the purposes aforesaid.

Printed as Chapter 25 [Oct. 1784] in Acts and Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts [1784–1785] (Boston, 1893), 272–273.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts In the House of Reprs. Novr. 1st 1784

Ordered that the Committee for revising the Laws of this Commonwealth be instructed to consider the expediency of adopting other punishment that already provided by law for the crimes of theft & housebreaking, & report.

Sent up for Concurrence Saml. A. Otis Speaker

In Senate Novr. 1st. 1784

Read & Concurred

Samuel Adams Presidt. A true Copy Attest. Thos. Edwards Clerk of the Senate A copy for Wm. Cushing.

RC ; addressed: “The honorable R. T. Paine Atty. Genl.” Note on verso: “Mr. Cushings Complmts. to the Atty. Genl. & presents him as one of the Committee for revising the laws, with the within Order of Genl. Court for his Consideration.”