Saturday, September 11, 2021

Discussion of Weights and Measures in "An ACT to regulate Weights and Measures" (March 19, 1813) in New York Law

The information concerning weights and measures in Alma 11 presents very strong evidence for the historicity of the Book of Mormon, from both ancient practices of currency and onomastics. For more, see:

 

John W. Welch, Weighing and Measuring in the World of the Book of Mormon

 

Robert F. Smith, The Preposterous Book of Mormon A Singular Advantage

 

While reading a book on New York laws from 1813, I came across “An ACT to regulate Weights and Measures,” Passed March 19, 1813, to show how contemporaries with Joseph Smith discussed weights and measures, so it is a good way of comparing and contrasting this with those in Alma 11 and elsewhere in the Book of Mormon:

 

I. BE it enacted by the People of the State of New-York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That there shall be one just beam, one certain weight and measure, for distance and capacity, that is to say: avoirdupois and troy weights, bushels, half bushels, pecks, half pecks, and quarts, and gallons, half gallons, quarts, pints and gills, and one certain rod for long measure, according to the standard in use in this state, on the day of the declaration of the independence thereof; and that the standard of weights and measures now in the office of the secretary of this state, which in according to the standard of the court of exchequer, in that part of Great-Britain called England, shall be and is hereby declared to be and remain the standard for ascertaining all beams, weights and measures, throughout this state, until the congress of the United states shall establish the standard of weights and measures for the United States. . . . .

 

III. And it is further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the secretary of this state, within nine months after the passing of this act, in addition to the weights and measure already provided by law, and now remaining with the said secretary and the assistant state sealer, in the county of Oneida, to procure at the expence of this state, so many weights, measures and beams, as shall make out four complete standards of weights and measures, both of liquid and dry measures, and avoirdupois and troy weights, with proper beams, and standard brass rods of long measure; one complete set to be retained in his office, as a principal state standard, and one other set of the said standards to be delivered to each of the assistant state sealers, taking their receipts respectively therefor; and the comptroller is hereby directed to audit the account of the secretary for his expenses. In procuring the said additional standard of weights, measures and beams, and draw the warrant for the amount on the treasurer, who is hereby directed to pay the same out of any monies in the treasury, not otherwise appropriated.,(William P. Van Vess and John Woodworth, Laws of the State of New York, Revised and Passed at the Thirty-Sixth Session of the Legislature, With Marginal Notes and References, 2 vols. [Albany: H. C. Southwick & Co., 1813], 1:376-77)

Here are photos of the relevant pages containing the entirety of the act:



















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