Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Texas adopts the English common law in 1840

From the Texas Slavery project

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"Untitled," Telegraph and Texas Register, April 8, 1840

An act to adopt the common law of England, to repeal certain Mexican laws, and to regulate the marital rights of parties.

SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Texas, in Congress assembled, That the common law of England (so far as it is not inconsistent with the constitution or the acts of Congress now in force) shall, together with such acts be the rule of decision in this republic, and shall continue in full force until altered or repealed by congress.

SEC. 2 Be it further enacted, That all laws in force in this republic, prior to the first of September, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six (except the laws of the consultation and provisional government, now in force, and except such laws as relate exclusively to grants and the colonization of lands in the state of Coahuila and Texas, and also such laws as relate to the reservation of islands and lands, and also of salt lakes, licks and salt springs, mines and minerals of every description, made by the general and state governments) be, and the same are hereby repealed.


It goes on ....