Parliamentary Act. Reign of George III | The Administration of Justice Act

Parliamentary Act. Reign of George III

An Act for the impartial Administration of Justice in the Cases of Persons questioned for any Acts done by them in the Execution of the Law, for the Suppression of Riots and Tumults, in the Province of Massachuset’s Bay, in New England. London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, 1774

Folio (311 x 197 mm). Woodcut arms of Great Britain, woodcut initial, text in black letter, side notes in roman type; lightly washed with mild residual toning. Modern quarter calf over brown marbled boards, printed paper label on front cover.

The Administration of Justice Act, one of the so-called “Intolerable Acts,” also called the "Murder Act," which the British government enacted in retaliation for American colonial defiance. Its stated purpose was to ensure a fair trial for British officials who were charged with capital offenses while upholding the law or quelling protests in Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The winter of 1773–1774 saw a rise in colonial hostilities, with Boston appearing as the center of the unrest, especially after the Boston Tea Party (December 1773). In an attempt to assert its authority, Parliament began enacting repressive laws for Massachusetts Bay. On 20 May 1774—the same day it passed the Massachusetts Government Act, which essentially repealed the colony’s charter (1691)—the Administration of Justice Act was approved. It permitted trials involving British officials charged with capital offenses, including murder, to be moved to England or another colony. Many colonists believed that relocating the trials would guarantee acquittals for the accused, and they thus began referring to the measure as the “Murder Act.” Rather than reimpose British control, the Administration of Justice Act only furthered colonial unrest, which ultimately led to the convening of the First Continental Congress in September 1774.

REFERENCE:

ESTC N57464