after revolution to 1805 97

pellate jurisdiction of its predecessor and all that
exercised by the General Court. And an addi-
tional provision to meet the difficulties of travel
for attorneys was that the Court of Appeals should
sit on the western and eastern shores of the Bay
respectively.

The sessions under the older constitutional ar-
rangement came to an end at the time of the con-
firmation of the amendment. There was a session
of the Court of Appeals on November 20, 1805,
and not another until June, 1806, with six new
judges.

An act of 1805, chapter 65, passed January 25,
1806, made elaborate and comprehensive provi-
sions for the organization of the courts under the
amendment. Forms of oaths and of commissions
were again provided. The Governor and Council
were now (section VI) to vary the commissions
so as to designate the Chief Judge of the Court of
Appeals, who, when present, was to preside over
the court, the judge next in seniority, "to be de-
termined from the date of the commission," to
preside in the absence of the Chief Judge. The
work of the previous court, and of the General
Court on appeal, was to be taken up by the Court
of Appeals without any effect on cases from the
change. And all books and papers of the Gen-
eral Court of each shore were to be lodged with
the clerk of the Court of Appeals of that shore.
They are in the custody of the present court.

None of the judges of the preceding Court of
Appeals were reappointed to this court. Chief
Judge Rumsey and Judge Jones were offered ap-