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Jefferson, Thomas

"Public Papers"


277.18 and 2217.44, as established for the measure of coal by
the statute 12 Anne.
278 and 2224, according to the standard bushel of Henry VII.,
with a copper rim, in the Exchequer.
278.4 and 2227.2 according to two standard pints of 1601 and
1602, in the Exchequer.
280 and 2240, according to the standard quart of 1601, in the
Exchequer.
282 and 2256, according to the standard gallon for beer and ale
in the Treasury.
There are, moreover, varieties on these varieties, from the
barrel to the ton, inclusive; for, if the barrel be of herrings, it
must contain 28 gallons by the statute 13 Eliz. c. 11. If of wine,
it must contain 31 1/2 gallons by the statute 2 Henry VI. c. 11, and
1 Rich. III. c. 15. If of beer or ale, it must contain 34 gallons by
the statute 1 William and Mary, c. 24, and the higher measures in
proportion.

In those of the United States which have not adopted the
statutes of William and Mary, and of Anne before cited, nor their
substance, the wine gallon of 231 cubic inches rests on the authority
of very long usage, before the 5th of Anne, the origin and foundation
of which are unknown; the bushel is the Winchester bushel, by the 11
Henry VII. undefined; and the barrel of ale 32 gallons, and of beer
36 gallons, by the statute 23 Henry VIII.


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