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The 1776 Philadelphia ConstitutionThe laws of the land, set down plainly — and put to the people, one provision at a time.

The Pennsylvania Register

Every law Pennsylvania has passed

55,382 acts of the General Assembly, from William Penn’s first assembly in 1682 to 2026. Until 1874 much of the Assembly’s work was “special” legislation for a single person, company or town: a divorce, a road, a tavern license. That year’s constitution barred local and special laws on most subjects, and the yearly count fell; lately it is about 150.

Not yet complete · The state has not yet digitized its session laws act by act for most years between 1851 and 1949. We filled what we could from scans of the printed volumes: every year from 1851 to 1875 and most sessions from 1877 to 1907. A computer read those titles, so they can contain misspellings, and a few acts in each year were missed. Most years from 1909 to 1949 are still thin (marked below). Every other year is complete, from 1682 through 1850 and from 1950 to today.

Clear

567 laws of the 1780s

Constitution of 1776

  1. Laying an embargo on the exportation of provisions from this state by sea for a limited time

    Ch. 876 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 43 · 1780 · Original text

  2. Preservation of buildings erected upon the lands of divers inhabitants of this commonwealth for the use of the United States and vesting such land with the buildings in the United States during the present war and to punish trespassers

    Ch. 877 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 45 · 1780 · Original text

  3. Vesting the state house in the city of Philadelphia; the house in High street in the said city appropriated to the use of the president of the supreme executive council, the Province island and other public real estate in the commonwealth

    Ch. 878 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 48 · 1780 · Original text

  4. Erecting an high court of errors and appeals

    Ch. 879 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 52 · 1780 · Original text

  5. More effectual supply and honorable reward of the Pennsylvania troops in the service of the United States of America

    Ch. 880 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 58 · 1780 · Original text

  6. Gradual abolition of slavery

    Ch. 881 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 67 · 1780 · Original text

  7. Compel the settlement of the public accounts

    Ch. 882 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 73 · 1780 · Original text

  8. Amend an act entitled "An act for the effectual suppression of public auctions and vendues and to prohibit male persons capable of bearing arms from being hawkers and peddlers" to allow the sale by public auction of damaged or shipwrecked goods

    Ch. 883 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 81 · 1780 · Original text

  9. Confirming and amending the charter of the German Lutheran Congregation in and near the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 884 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 82 · 1780 · Original text

  10. Re-establishing the charter of the second Presbyterian church in the city of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 885 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 88 · 1780 · Original text

  11. Incorporating the society formed for the relief of poor, aged and infirm masters of ships, their widows and children

    Ch. 886 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 91 · 1780 · Original text

  12. Regulating and establishing admiralty jurisdiction

    Ch. 887 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 97 · 1780 · Original text

  13. Restore and ascertain the value of divers fines, penalties and forfeitures hereinafter mentioned which may be incurred by the breach of certain acts of assembly of this commonwealth

    Ch. 888 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 106 · 1780 · Original text

  14. Amendment of the law relative to the punishment of treason, robberies, misprisons of treason and other offenses

    Ch. 889 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 110 · 1780 · Original text

  15. Increase the punishments of horse stealing

    Ch. 890 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 112 · 1780 · Original text

  16. Relief of the suffering inhabitants of the counties of Northampton, Bedford, Northumberland and Westmoreland

    Ch. 891 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 114 · 1780 · Original text

  17. Revive an act entitled "An act to prevent the trespassing upon the unenclosed grounds lying in the townships of Passyunk, Moyamensing, Northern Liberties and Germantown in the county of Philadelphia" and extend the act to Bristol township, etc.

    Ch. 892 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 115 · 1780 · Original text

  18. Free and general pardon and indemnity for the offenses therein mentioned

    Ch. 893 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 117 · 1780 · Original text

  19. Incorporating the American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia for promoting useful knowledge

    Ch. 894 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 119 · 1780 · Original text

  20. Cure a defect in "An act to confirm the estates and interests of the college, academy and charitable school of the city of Philadelphia ... university" and "A supplement to an act entitled an act for the attainder of divers traitors ...thereupon."

    Ch. 895 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 124 · 1780 · Original text

  21. Prevent trespasses and waste from being committed upon the lands of absent persons and upon vacant and unappropriated lands

    Ch. 896 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 126 · 1780 · Original text

  22. Render the revenue arising from the excise on wine and spirits and on licenses to be granted to public houses effective and equal to the public necessities

    Ch. 897 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 128 · 1780 · Original text

  23. Grant to Henry Guest an exclusive right for the term of five years of making oil and blubber from materials of his own discovery

    Ch. 898 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 131 · 1780 · Original text

  24. Effectual recovering and securing the fines, forfeitures and other moneys due or belonging to the commonwealth for the use of the same

    Ch. 899 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 133 · 1780 · Original text

  25. Directing the apportioning and assessing of county rates and levies, poor rates, taxes to be layed for the opening, amending and repairing of roads and highways, taxes to be layed for supporting the nightly watch, the lamps and pumps, etc. in Philadelphia

    Ch. 900 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 139 · 1780 · Original text

  26. Enable William Clingan, Thomas Bull, John Kinkead, Roger Kirk, John Sellers, John Wilson and Joseph Davis to build a new court house and prison in the county of Chester and sell the old court house and prison in the borough of Chester

    Ch. 901 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 142 · 1780 · Original text

  27. Regulation of the militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 902 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 144 · 1780 · Original text

  28. Discontinue a road called Palmer's Lane in the township of the Northern Liberties in the county of Philadelphia and near to the lower falls of Schuylkill

    Ch. 903 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 173 · 1780 · Original text

  29. Repeal divers acts for preventing forestalling and regrating and for the encouragement of fair dealing and an act entitled "An act to permit the making of whiskey and other spirits from rye, barley or the malt made thereof ... meal, malt or flour."

    Ch. 904 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 175 · 1780 · Original text

  30. Procuring a supply of provisions and other necessaries for the use of the army

    Ch. 905 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 176 · 1780 · Original text

  31. Further to continue such parts of an act entitled "An act ... to apprehend suspected persons, and to increase the fines to which persons are liable for neglecting to perform their tour of militia duty" as to apprehending of suspected persons

    Ch. 906 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 182 · 1780 · Original text

  32. Striking the sum of 100,000 pounds in bills of credit for the present support of the army and for establishing a fund for the certain redemption of the same and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 907 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 183 · 1780 · Original text

  33. Greater ease of the militia and the more speedy and effectual defence of this state

    Ch. 908 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 191 · 1780 · Original text

  34. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to compel the settlement of the public accounts" and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 909 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 195 · 1780 · Original text

  35. Further supplement to an act entitled "An act for regulating and continuing the nightly watch, enlightening the streets, lanes and alleys in the city of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned" and to a supplement thereto passed in 1776

    Ch. 910 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 200 · 1780 · Original text

  36. Suspend the operation for a limited time of the several laws of this commonwealth for making the bills of credit of the United States a legal tender in the payment of debts equal to gold and silver

    Ch. 911 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 204 · 1780 · Original text

  37. Funding and redeeming the bills of credit of the United States of America and for providing means to bring the present war to a happy conclusion

    Ch. 912 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 205 · 1780 · Original text

  38. Procuring an immediate supply of provisions for the federal army in its present exigency

    Ch. 913 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 214 · 1780 · Original text

  39. Remedy the inconveniences of holding the annual elections in the fourth district of the county of Cumberland and the second district in the county of Bedford at the places heretofore appointed by the laws of this commonwealth

    Ch. 914 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 219 · 1780 · Original text

  40. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for regulating and establishing admiralty jurisdiction."

    Ch. 915 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 220 · 1780 · Original text

  41. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the regulation of the militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

    Ch. 916 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 225 · 1780 · Original text

  42. Revive and continue for a further limited time the act for laying an embargo on the exportation of provisions from this state by sea for a limited time

    Ch. 917 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 227 · 1780 · Original text

  43. Continue for a longer time the act entitled "An act to suspend the operation for a limited time of the several laws of this commonwealth for making the bills of credit of the United States a legal tender in the payment of debts equal to gold and silver."

    Ch. 918 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 228 · 1780 · Original text

  44. Alter and amend an act entitled "An act for the effectual suppression of public auction and vendues and prohibit male persons capable of bearing arms from being hawkers and peddlers."

    Ch. 919 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 229 · 1780 · Original text

  45. Settle and adjust the accounts of the troops of this state in the service of the United States and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 920 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 233 · 1780 · Original text

  46. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for funding and redeeming the bills of credit of the United States of America and for providing means to bring the present ware to an happy conclusion."

    Ch. 921 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 238 · 1780 · Original text

  47. Permit the exportation of flour or wheat from this state by sea under certain limitations and restrictions

    Ch. 922 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 243 · 1780 · Original text

  48. Revive and amend an act entitled "An act to suspend the operation for a limited time of the several laws of this commonwealth for making the bills of credit of the United States a legal tender in the payment of debts equal to gold and silver."

    Ch. 923 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 247 · 1780 · Original text

  49. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for striking the sum of 100,000 pounds in bills of credit for the present support of the army and for establishing a fund for the redemption of the same and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 924 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 249 · 1780 · Original text

  50. Impost on goods, wares and merchandise imported into this state

    Ch. 925 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 252 · 1780 · Original text

  51. Complete the quota of the federal army assigned to this state

    Ch. 926 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 259 · 1780 · Original text

  52. Suspend the operation of the several laws of this commonwealth making the bills of credit made current by the resolves of the late assemblies of Pennsylvania and the bills of credit issued by the assembly of this state on March 20, 1777, legal tender

    Ch. 927 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 265 · 1781 · Original text

  53. Repeal "An act to revive and continue for a further limited time the act for laying an embargo on the exportations of provisions from this state by sea for a limited time" and parts of "An act to permit the exportation of flour of wheat ... by sea ..."

    Ch. 928 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 266 · 1781 · Original text

  54. Dissolve the marriage of Giles Hicks with his wife Hester Hicks, late Hester McDaniel

    Ch. 929 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 267 · 1781 · Original text

  55. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act for making the river Schuylkill navigable and for the preservation of the fish in the said river."

    Ch. 930 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 269 · 1781 · Original text

  56. Erecting part of the county of Westmoreland into a separate county (named Washington)

    Ch. 931 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 272 · 1781 · Original text

  57. Prevent the attainder of Daniel Rundle and Matthias Aspden for a limited time on condition that they render themselves to take their trial on or before a certain day therein limited and appointed

    Ch. 932 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 279 · 1781 · Original text

  58. Vesting the estate late of Henry Hugh Ferguson in Elizabeth his wife

    Ch. 933 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 281 · 1781 · Original text

  59. Revive "An act to revive an act to prevent the trespassing upon the unenclosed grounds lying in the townships of Passyunk, Moyamensing, Northern Liberties and Germantown ... and ... township of Bristol ... prevent swine running at large ..."

    Ch. 934 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 282 · 1781 · Original text

  60. Directing the mode of adjusting and settling the payment of debts and contracts entered into and made between January 1, 1777, and March 1, 1781, etc.

    Ch. 935 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 283 · 1781 · Original text

  61. Prevent the exportation of bread and flour not merchantable and for repealing at a certain time all the laws heretofore made for that purpose

    Ch. 936 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 288 · 1781 · Original text

  62. Vesting the congress of the United States a power to levy duties of five per centum ad valorem on certain goods and merchandise imported into this commonwealth and on the prizes and prize goods condemned in the court of admiralty after May 1, 1781

    Ch. 937 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 296 · 1781 · Original text

  63. Amending and continuing an act entitled "An act for the support of the government of this province, making the excise on wine, rum, brandy and other spirits more equal and preventing frauds in the collecting and paying the said excise."

    Ch. 938 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 298 · 1781 · Original text

  64. Emitting the sum of 500,000 pounds in bills of credit for the support of the army and for establishing a fund for the redemption thereof and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 939 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 301 · 1781 · Original text

  65. Establishing a land office and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 940 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 308 · 1781 · Original text

  66. Amend "An act for the more effectual supply and honorable reward of the Pennsylvania troops in the service of the United States of America" and "An act to settle and adjust the accounts of the troops of this state in the service of the United States ..."

    Ch. 941 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 314 · 1781 · Original text

  67. Better support of the public credit by an immediate sale of the lands therein mentioned and fully securing the purchasers thereof in their titles and for preserving the common lands appurtenant to the city of Philadelphia and other towns from encroachment

    Ch. 942 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 317 · 1781 · Original text

  68. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to permit the exportation of flour of wheat from this state by sea under certain limitations and restrictions."

    Ch. 943 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 325 · 1781 · Original text

  69. Raise effective supplies for the year 1781

    Ch. 944 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 326 · 1781 · Original text

  70. Repeal of so much of the laws of this commonwealth as make the continental bills of credit and the bills emitted by the resolves or acts of the assemblies of the said commonwealth a legal tender and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 945 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 337 · 1781 · Original text

  71. Recruiting the Pennsylvania line in the army of the United States

    Ch. 946 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 344 · 1781 · Original text

  72. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for establishing a land office and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 947 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 349 · 1781 · Original text

  73. Raising additional supplies for the year 1781

    Ch. 948 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 351 · 1781 · Original text

  74. Incorporate the German Society contributing for the relief of distressed Germans in the state of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 949 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 355 · 1781 · Original text

  75. Make more effectual provision for the defense of this state

    Ch. 950 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 361 · 1781 · Original text

  76. Alter and supply an act entitled "An act for recruiting the Pennsylvania line in the army of the United States."

    Ch. 951 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 364 · 1781 · Original text

  77. Vest the title of a messuage and lot of ground in the town of Lisburn in John Rankin, esquire

    Ch. 952 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 366 · 1781 · Original text

  78. Give relief to certain persons taking refuge in this state with respect to their slaves

    Ch. 953 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 367 · 1781 · Original text

  79. Dissolve the marriage of Jacob Billmeyer with his wife Mary Billmeyer, late Mary Eichelberger

    Ch. 954 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 368 · 1781 · Original text

  80. Supplement to "An act to amend the act entitled 'An act for the more effectual supply and honorable reward of the Pennsylvania troops in the service of the United States of America' " and "An act to settle and adjust the accounts of the troops ..."

    Ch. 955 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 370 · 1781 · Original text

  81. Defense of the frontiers of this state and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 956 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 373 · 1781 · Original text

  82. Support of government and the administration of justice

    Ch. 957 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 376 · 1781 · Original text

  83. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to prevent the exportation of bread and flour not merchantable and for repealing at a certain time all the laws heretofore made for that purpose."

    Ch. 958 · 10 Pa. Stat. at Large 379 · 1781 · Original text

  84. Relief of John Sensenigh, an insolvent debtor confined in the gaol of Lancaster county

    Ch. 996 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 5 · 1782 · Original text

  85. Vest the estate of John Spering, late of Easton in the county of Northampton, cordwainer, in his four children

    Ch. 997 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 6 · 1782 · Original text

  86. Raising an impost on goods, wares and merchandise imported or brought into this state by land

    Ch. 998 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 8 · 1782 · Original text

  87. Stay and prevent suits being brought against sundry officers, deputies or agents heretofore employed in the service of this state and of the United States

    Ch. 999 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 11 · 1782 · Original text

  88. Prevent the erecting any new and independent state within the limits of this commonwealth

    Ch. 1000 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 14 · 1782 · Original text

  89. Vesting several houses and lots of land in the city of Philadelphia, the residuary real estate of John Nicholas, deceased, in trustees to sell the same and to make distribution of the money arising by these sales among the residuary devisees

    Ch. 1001 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 17 · 1782 · Original text

  90. Provide for the payment of the discharged sick and wounded soldiers belonging to this state agreeable to the recommendation of congress of April 23, 1782

    Ch. 1002 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 21 · 1783 · Original text

  91. Indemnify and save harmless the persons appointed to superintend the making and perfecting the bills of credit, dated April 20, 1781, from the penalties they may have incurred by not perfecting and finishing the whole of the said bills, etc.

    Ch. 1003 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 23 · 1783 · Original text

  92. Attainder of Harry Gordon unless he surrender himself and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1004 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 26 · 1783 · Original text

  93. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the support of government and administration of justice."

    Ch. 1005 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 29 · 1783 · Original text

  94. Establish and confirm the estate of John Morris of the township of Eastown in the county of Chester in fifty acres of land in West Whiteland township in the said county

    Ch. 1006 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 30 · 1783 · Original text

  95. Sale of certain lands therein mentioned for the purpose of redeeming and paying off the certificates of depreciation given to the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania line and for appropriating certain other lands therein for their use

    Ch. 1007 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 32 · 1783 · Original text

  96. Extending the provision made in the seventh section of "An act for the repeal of so much of the laws of this commonwealth as make the continental bills of credit and the bills emitted by the resolves or acts of assemblies ... a legal tender ..."

    Ch. 1008 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 36 · 1783 · Original text

  97. Discontinue part of a road in New Britain township in the county of Bucks

    Ch. 1009 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 38 · 1783 · Original text

  98. Incorporating the Presbyterian congregation of Newtown in the county of Bucks

    Ch. 1010 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 39 · 1783 · Original text

  99. Vest the present trustees of the loan office with certain powers and authorities

    Ch. 1011 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 45 · 1783 · Original text

  100. Relief of John Gosline, otherwise called John Gosling

    Ch. 1012 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 46 · 1783 · Original text

By decade

Constitution of 19681968–today

Constitution of 18741874–1967

Constitution of 18381838–1873

Constitution of 17901790–1837

Constitution of 17761776–1789

Province of Pennsylvania1682–1775

1682–1801: the Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania. 1802–1974: the Pamphlet Laws (Laws of the General Assembly). Both from the scans published by the Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau, which link to each original page. 1975 onward: the General Assembly’s own record of legislation enacted, which adds approval dates and bill numbers. Years the Bureau hasn’t indexed act by act come from the annual Laws of the General Assembly as scanned by the Internet Archive and Google Books: we split each volume into acts by their approval lines, and each one links to its scanned page. Before 1975 each year’s appropriation acts were scanned as one bundle, so they aren’t listed one by one. Proposed constitutional amendments, vetoed bills and reorganization plans are left out. Subject lines are the Bureau’s and the General Assembly’s, not the laws’ full titles.