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A Glimpse into the Past: The 28th Congress, 2nd Session Documents Preserved
On December 19th, 2024, govinfo.gov, a valuable resource maintained by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), quietly released a newly digitized version of the United States Statutes at Large, Volume 2, 28th Congress, 2nd Session. While it might not sound like a groundbreaking headline, this release is significant for historians, legal scholars, genealogists, and anyone interested in the evolution of U.S. law and governance.
What are the United States Statutes at Large?
Think of the United States Statutes at Large as a comprehensive historical record of all the laws passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by the President. It’s the official source for federal law, containing all Acts of Congress in their original, unaltered form. It’s different from the United States Code, which is a subject matter arrangement of general and permanent laws currently in force. The Statutes at Large shows the law as it was originally enacted, which is crucial for understanding its historical context and legal interpretation.
Why is Volume 2, 28th Congress, 2nd Session Important?
This particular volume documents the laws enacted during the second session of the 28th Congress, which ran from December 2nd, 1844, to March 3rd, 1845. Think about what was happening in the United States during that time. It was a period of westward expansion, burgeoning industrial growth, and growing tensions over the issue of slavery. The laws passed during this period reflect those realities. You might find legislation related to land grants, infrastructure development (like roads and canals), Native American affairs, the regulation of commerce, and even early debates related to slavery. The debates surrounding the admission of Texas as a state were also likely occurring around this time.
Why is Digitization So Valuable?
Previously, accessing these historical documents often meant physically visiting a library with a substantial government documents collection or relying on microfilm versions. Digitization changes everything. Making these volumes available on govinfo.gov offers several key benefits:
- Accessibility: Anyone with an internet connection can now access these historical documents for free. This democratizes access to legal and historical information.
- Searchability: Digital documents can be easily searched for specific terms, names, or dates. This makes research much faster and more efficient.
- Preservation: Digitization helps preserve the original documents by reducing the need to handle fragile paper copies.
- Discoverability: By making these documents available online, they become more visible to a wider audience, potentially leading to new research and insights.
What Can You Find in This Volume?
Without directly accessing the document, it’s impossible to know the precise contents. However, based on the time period, you can expect to find legislation addressing topics such as:
- Appropriations: Laws allocating funds for government operations, the military, and public works.
- Military Affairs: Laws related to the Army, Navy, and the militia.
- Public Lands: Laws governing the sale, settlement, and management of federal lands.
- Native American Affairs: Laws relating to treaties, land rights, and government relations with various Native American tribes.
- Postal Service: Laws concerning the establishment and regulation of post offices and mail routes.
- Commerce and Navigation: Laws regulating trade, shipping, and maritime activities.
- Territorial Governance: Laws pertaining to the administration of U.S. territories.
Who Might Find This Useful?
- Historians: Gaining a deeper understanding of the political, economic, and social context of the mid-19th century.
- Legal Scholars: Tracing the evolution of legal principles and doctrines.
- Genealogists: Finding information about ancestors who may have been involved in government affairs or affected by these laws.
- Students: Conducting research projects on American history, law, or political science.
- Anyone Interested in U.S. History: Simply exploring the laws and events that shaped the nation.
In Conclusion:
The digitization and release of United States Statutes at Large, Volume 2, 28th Congress, 2nd Session on govinfo.gov is a valuable contribution to historical preservation and public access. It provides a window into a crucial period in American history, allowing us to better understand the forces that shaped the nation we know today. While perhaps not making headlines in the traditional sense, this quiet release holds immense value for researchers and anyone seeking to connect with the past. It represents a continued commitment to making government information accessible to all.
United States Statutes at Large, Volume 2, 28th Congress, 2nd Session
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www.govinfo.gov published ‘United States Statutes at Large, Volume 2, 28th Congress, 2nd Session’ at 2024-12-19 15:12. Please write a de tailed article about this news, including related information, in a gentle tone. Please answer only in English.