Okay, let’s gently unpack this announcement from GovInfo about the publication of “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 15, 40th Congress, 2nd Session.” While the news itself is not exactly breaking—after all, we’re talking about a document from the 1860s—the fact that it’s newly published on GovInfo is still interesting and makes this pivotal historical information more accessible to a modern audience.
Here’s a detailed, gentle exploration of what this means:
Headline: A Glimpse into the Past: GovInfo Publishes Volume 15 of the United States Statutes at Large
The Essence of the News
GovInfo, the official online portal for government information, has recently made available a digitized version of the “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 15, 40th Congress, 2nd Session.” This volume documents the laws passed by the U.S. Congress during that particular session, which took place from December 2, 1867 to July 27, 1868. The date of the publication by GovInfo is stated to be December 19th, 2024.
Why is this important (even though it’s old)?
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Historical Record: The Statutes at Large are the official record of acts and resolutions passed by the United States Congress. They are invaluable for understanding the legal landscape of the nation at any given time. Volume 15, specifically, is particularly compelling as it chronicles laws enacted during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War.
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Reconstruction Era Context: The 40th Congress was dealing with the immense challenges of rebuilding the nation after the conflict. Volume 15 likely contains legislation related to:
- The status of the former Confederate states
- Civil rights for newly freed slaves
- Economic recovery
- Military presence in the South
- The impeachment process of President Andrew Johnson, if it falls within the correct timeframe (which it does).
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Legal Research: Lawyers, historians, political scientists, and anyone interested in legal history can use this volume to research the original text of laws, understand the legislative intent behind them, and trace the evolution of legal concepts.
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Government Transparency: GovInfo’s mission is to provide free public access to government information. By making this volume available online, they’re ensuring that citizens can easily access and examine the laws that shaped the country.
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Improved Accessibility: Before digitization, accessing such historical documents often required visiting a physical library or archive. GovInfo’s online publication makes it far easier for anyone with an internet connection to study these laws.
What you might find inside Volume 15
While we can’t know the exact contents without reviewing the document itself, here are some likely topics that the laws in Volume 15 would have addressed:
- Reconstruction Acts: Laws governing the administration and reintegration of the Southern states.
- Civil Rights Legislation: Potentially laws related to protecting the rights of African Americans (though this was still an evolving area).
- Appropriations: Funding for various government operations, including the military and infrastructure projects.
- Land Grants: Possibly grants for railroad construction or agricultural colleges.
- Treaties with Native American Tribes: Agreements made (or broken) with various tribes during this period.
A Gentle Reminder about Context
When examining these historical documents, it’s crucial to keep in mind the social, political, and cultural context of the time. Laws that might seem outdated or even unjust by modern standards were the product of their era. Studying them helps us understand how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go in achieving a more just and equitable society.
In Conclusion
The publication of “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 15” on GovInfo might seem like a small event, but it’s a valuable contribution to preserving and making accessible our nation’s legal history. It offers a window into a pivotal period in American history and provides resources for anyone seeking to understand the legal foundations of the United States.
United States Statutes at Large, Volume 15, 40th Congress, 2nd Session
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
www.govinfo.gov published ‘United States Statutes at Large, Volume 15, 40th Congress, 2nd Session’ at 2024-12-19 15:18. Please write a detailed article about this news, including related information, in a gentle tone. Please answer only in English.