Scope and Content: Early in the Constitutional period, the Massachusetts General Court provided for a state printer (Nathaniel Willis) to publish its acts and resolves in a paper to be distributed throughout the Commonwealth (Resolves 1780, Jan 1781 Sess, c 150).  The responsibility evolved into that of state printer, who not only published passed legislation, but other legislative documents, and forms and documents for other branches of state government. Series includes bids from prospective state printers and contracts constituting acceptance of those bids by the Committee on Accounts in accordance with legislative orders, 1822-1829.  (Contracts for printing were made the responsibility of the Senate and House clerks and the state secretary per Resolves 1849, c 57.)  Bills for printing were initially submitted to the Committee on Accounts; later they were usually examined and audited by the state treasurer with other miscellaneous accounts (Resolves 1829, c 11); per Resolves 1832, c 59, those presented to the treasurer by the designated state printer were audited each quarter and submitted directly to governor and council to have warrants drawn for payment.  Series includes such quarterly bills, 1832-1848; per St 1849, c 56 all accounts payable became the responsibility of the state auditor of accounts.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Box 1: Bids and contracts; bills, 1832-1839.  Box 2: Bills, 1840-1844.  Box 3: Bills, 1845-1848
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