The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive, Part 7

Author: Connecticut; Council of Safety (Conn.); Connecticut. General Assembly; Providence (R.I.). Convention (1776-1777); Springfield (Mass.). Convention (1777); Hartford (Conn.). Convention. (1779); Philadelphia. Convention (1780); Boston. Convention (1780); Hartford (Conn.). Convention (1780); Morgan, Forrest, 1852-; Labaree, Leonard Woods, 1897-; Hoadly, Charles J. (Charles Jeremy), 1828-1900
Publication date: 1894-<1997 >
Publisher: Hartford : Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co.
Number of Pages: 674


USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 7


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Voted, To draw on the Pay-Table in favor of Capt. Joseph Thomson for the sum of three hundred pounds, towards the billeting and wages of the


* Marie-Galante, one of the French W. I. islands.


55


OF CONNECTICUT.


1776.]


company under his command, and to be in account. Order drawn Octor 26th, 1776. Dd to Capt. Jo. Thomson.


Voted, That Col. Jonth Fitch be directed for the future to supply the troops under the command of Capt. Jo. Thomson in New Haven with provisions, agreeable to orders heretofore given. Copy dd to Capt. Thomson Octo" 26th, 1776.


Mr. Wm. Greenough, of New Haven, exhibited his account against this State, for service done, being £33. 12, 0. which is allowed and an order di- rected to be drawn on the Pay-Table for the same. Order drawn Octo" 26th 1776. Dd to


AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY OCTOR 30TH, 1776.


Present : His Honor the Governor. [His] Honor the D. Governor. Elipht Dyer, Titus Hosmer,


Jz. Huntington, WVm. Hillhouse, Esqrs.


Richª Law, Benj. Huntington,


Voted, To accept Jonathan Curtis to be Captain, Timothy Pond Lieuten- ant, and Samuel Scovill Ensign, of a company of inhabitants in Northbury in Waterbury embodied in pursuance of a late resolve of the General Assem- bly ; and his Honor the Governor is desired to grant them commissions accordingly.


Toted, To accept and establish Caleb Jewet Captain, Robert Steadman Lieutenant, and Joseph Lord Ensign of a company of inhabitants in Sharon embodied in pursuance of a late resolve of the General Assembly ; and his Honor the Governor is desired to grant them commissions accordingly.


Voted, That Capt. John McCleave and his crew lately belonging to the galley Whiting be dismissed as on Saturday ; and they are accordingly dis- missed as at that time .*


Voted, To approbate an order given by his Honor the Governor on the Pay-Table in favor of Capt. Sam" Squire for £500. as Commissary.


Voted, To approbate an order drawn by the Governor on the Pay-Table in favor of Capt. John Cotton, for £50. 0. 0, for the Fort at Saybrook.


AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY NOV' 4TH, 1776.


Present : His Honor the Governor. His Honor the D. Governor. Eliph' Dyer, Wm Hillhouse,


Jabez Huntington, Benj. Huntington, S Esqrs.


Andrew Martin was returned as being chosen Captain, Enos Hawley Lieutenant, and Nathan Chapman Ensign of a company of householders and able-bodied men ready to march to join the regiment in whose limits they dwell, which [is] Woodbury &c.


Voted. To sell twenty-five tons of pig iron belonging to this State to Col. Aaron Elliot, at the price of £7. 10. 0. per ton at the furnace at Salisbury, provided the same can be done without interfering with the cannon and shot foundery : said Eliot engaging to manufacture the same into steel and to dis-


* Am. Archives, 5th, ii, 1121-2.


56


COUNCIL OF SAFETY.


[November,


pose thereof at a reasonable price, in proportion to the cost of the pigs, to the inhabitants of this State for their own use and consumption ; and Col. Joshua Porter is hereby directed to deliver the same to said Eliot and take the pay therefor and render his account.


Voted, To supply Messrs. Sam" Bird, Arthur Jarvis, John Lathrop and Pierpoint Edwards with 10 cannon, 4-pounders, and twelve swivels .*


Voted, To supply Stephen Thorp, Abel Gold and associates with 12 can- non, 4-pounders, 8 small swivels, half a ton of round shot, and one hundred weight of grape-shot, as also to exchange with them eight hundred weight of powder at Mr. Doolittle's works at 5s. 4 per pound, for good and well refined salt-peter at the stated price. Dd the order for powder to Col. Jonth Fitch Nour 7th, 1776.


Voted, To deliver to Isaac Miles and company 12 cannon, 4-pounders, and 12 swivels, with shot answerable.


Voted, To supply Andrew Rowland, Samuel Broom and company with 8 three-pounders double fortified, 8 swivels, 5 hundred weight of gun-powder at 5s. 4 per hundred weight, 240 round shot and one hundred weight of grape- shot 2 ounces each. Order for powder dd to Col. Jonth Fitch Nour 7th, 1776.


Voted, To supply Jonathan Osborn, Farrington and Putnam with 4 nine- pounders. six six-pounders, and six three-pounders, and two cohorns.


Voted, To supply Luther Stoddard and company with 4 six-pounders, 10 four-pounders and 12 swivels. Order on the foregoing vote dd to Capt. Isaac Miles Novr 7th, 1776.


Voted, To supply Messrs. Lyon and company with ten swivels previous to any of the foregoing guns granted, and the rest are to be supplied in the order in which they are entered here.


AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY NOVR 6TH, 1776.


Present : His Honor the Governor. His Honor the D. Governor.


Eliph' Dyer, Titus Hosmer, Jabez Huntington, Wm Hillhouse, - EsqTs.


Benj. Huntington,


Capt. John McCleave exhibited an account against this State of £428. 9. 5, which is allowed, for wages and billeting and other expence of the men &c. on board the row-galley Whiting lately under his command; and voted to draw on the Pay-Table for the same. Order drawn Novr 7th, 1776, dd to Capt. John Mc Cleave.


Voted, To give order to Col. Win. Pitkin to deliver what powder he has in his hands belonging to this State to the care of John Lawrence. Esq", Treasurer, who is hereby directed to receive the same and store and guard it in some secure place at his discretion. Copy given Novr 6th, 1776, to Col. Pitkin.


Voted, To draw on the Pay-Table for one thousand pounds in favour of Mr. Chauncey Whittlesey of Middletown. to enable him to purchase cloath- ing for this State for the use of the troops, and to render his account. Order drawn Norr 6th, 1776. dd to Mr. Chauncey Whittlesey of Middletown.


* Their application for the guns, to be used on a privateer, is printed in 5th Am. Archives, ii, 965.


57


OF CONNECTICUT.


1776.]


AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY NOVR 7TH, 1776.


Present : His Honor the Governor. His Honor the D. Governor. Eliph' Dyer, Titus Hosmer,


Jz. Huntington. Benj. Huntington.


Voted, To join with the Commissary General to enter into a partnership with him for importing one hundred thousand bushells of salt ; and that the writings for the same be prepared accordingly.


AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY NOVEMBER 13, 1776.


Present : His Honor the Governor. Eliphalet Dyer, Samuel Huntington,


Jabez Huntington. Jedidiah Elderkin, Esquires. and Nath' Wales jr.


Advised on sundry matters and adjourned to the 14th inst.


Nov. 14th. Met according to adjournment.


Present : The same as yesterday with addition of Benj. Huntington and William Hillhouse, Esqrs.


Voted, That an order be drawn on the Committee of the Pay-Table for twenty-four pounds ten shillings in favor of William Wheler, for his service and expence as commissary at the north end of Lake George anno 1775. His account is as follows, (viz :)


Dr. State of Connecticut to William Wheeler in capacity of Commissary at the North End of Lake George by order of Col. Benj. Hinman, by Warrant dated 3d July, 1775.


To 5 months and & in that service at £6 pr mo. £34 0 0


Supra is Cr.


By pay as a soldier recd from Capt. Nath" Buell on his pay-roll 4 months and §


9 10 0


24 10 0


Order drawn Novr 14th, 1776. dd to Mr. Wm. Wheeler. The above order to be charged in acc' against the United States of America, for the regiment com- manded by Col. Hinman for said service.


Voted, To draw on the Pay-Table for £15 6 5. in favor of Lt. John Beedle, for expence of the guard under his command in bringing a number of tories from Stanford to this place and time. Order drawn 14th Novr. Dd to Lt. Beedle.


Thomas Mumford, Esq', exhibited an account of some small arms and three bolts of duck. to amount of £38 14 0, which is allowed ; and voted to draw on the Pay-Table for the same, it being £20 14 0 for the guns and bayonets, and £18 for the duck. Order dd to Tho. Mumford, Esq', Nour. 14th, 1776.


Memorandum. To rectify the mistake about 14 six-pounder cannon for Mr. Thomas Mumford, which ought to have been thought of some time passd.


Voted and resolved, That the Committee of Inspection of the town of Lebanon be and they are hereby directed and authorized to take the care and


·


58


COUNCIL OF SAFETY


[November,


custody of the prisoners sent here under guard from Stanford, as being persons dangerous to the State. and to dispose of and govern them in the best manner they can as their prudence shall direct, until further orders from the General Assembly or the Governor and his Council aforesaid.


AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, NOVR 15TH, 1776.


Present: llis Honor the Governor. Elipht Dyer, Nath. Wales jun', - Jedh Elderkin, Benj. Huntington, Esqrs.


Wm Hillhouse,


Voted, To draw on the Pay-Table in favor of Capt. Wm Coit for the sum of one thousand pounds, for the use of the ship Oliver Cromwell, and to be in account. Order dd to Wm Coit Nov. 15th, 1776.


On application of the Committee of Inspection of the town of Preston in behalf of sundry prisoners from the State of New York committed to their charge, representing that those prisoners are destitute of cloathing and other necessaries for the approaching season : Voted and resolved, that Alex- ander Campbell, William Pemberton and Thomas Swords be permitted to pass from Preston to their respective homes under the care and inspection of any two of said committee who shall be agreed upon to attend them on their journey and back again at the expence of said Campbell, Pemberton and Swords : they giving their parole faithfully to return again with said attendants to Preston on their request unless released from their confinement by order of the same authority that sent them here ; and also not to do or say anything against the United States of America. And it is further resolved, that Walter Scott, Sam" S. Gardinier, Henry Westonhausen, John Duzenbury, Owen Conner, Benj. Greenman, and Jacob Timmerman, also have liberty, at their own expence, to return to their families for the pur- pose of gaining some sustenance : they first giving their parole to wait on the authority that sent them here for further orders concerning them, and faithfully to return back to Preston within six weeks from this time, unless released by the same authority that ordered their confinement ; and also not to do or say anything against the United States of America during the present war. Not to proceed till the 25th of Novr instant, to attend on the Governor in their journey, that if anything happens in the meantime these orders may be revoked and they returned again to Preston. Copy given to Benj. Coit Esq".


Voted, To draw on the Pay-Table in favor of Dr. Joshua Elderkin for one thousand pounds. to enable him to purchase cloathing &c. for this State, and render his account. Order drawn Nov 15th, 1776, da to Mr. Wales.


Voted, An approbation of an order drawn by his Honor the Governor Nov" 9th, 1776, in favor of Capt. John Deshon on the Pay-Table for £2000, and to render his account.


Voted, An approbation of an order drawn by his Honor the Governor Nov 9th, 1776, for £2000, in favor of Mr Nath" Shaw jun', for publick use, and to render his account. Said order was on the Pay-Table.


Voted, To approve of an order drawn by his Honor the Governor Nov" 11th, 1776. on Messrs. Elderkin and Wales. in favor of Mr. Nathan Pendle- ton for 50 lb. of powder at 5s. 4 per lb.


59


OF CONNECTICUT.


1776.]


It being represented to this Board that Mr. John Rapalje, in confinement at Norwich, is destitute of cloathing and necessaries for his support for the approaching season, and that he is desirous of returning to his family to gain the same, as also that he has it in his power to furnish some Connecti- cut soldiers imprisoned at N. York with cash upon their drawing in his favor on their friends &c. here, provided he could be suffered to visit his family and estate on Long Island which he wishes to do :


Voted and resolved, That the said Rapalje hath liberty to return to his family on Long Island for the purpose above mentioned, and to remove from thence such of his family as he desires to the town of Norwich to reside with him : lie giving his parole of honor for his faithful return to the Com- mittee of [Inspection] as soon as he can within six weeks from the time he goes from Norwich, and that he will not do or say any thing against the United States of America, or give intelligence or advice concerning the affairs or matters of said States during his absence from Norwich ; and he is desired to supply Col. Sam" Selden, Capt. Jonathan Brewster, Lt. Nath" Gove, Serjt Roger Coit, Lt. Jabez Fitch, and such other prisoners from this State as he can with cash &c., upon their friends or some other persons undertaking to answer their bills for the same. He hath also liberty to pro- cure and bring to Judge Jones and others with him in Norwich such supplies of cloathing and sustenance as they want.


Voted, To give liberty to the Committee of Inspection in Norwich to suffer two prisoners residing at Capt. Elijah Backus's to go on their own expence to their respective homes in the State of New York to obtain sup- plies for their support for the ensuing winter, upon their giving their parole to said committee not to do or say anything against the United States of America during the present war, and that they will not give the enemy any intelligence or advice concerning the affairs of said States or any of them, and that they will return again to the care of the committee of Norwich within six weeks from this time, unless suffered to remain at home by the same authority who first sent them here.


Toted. To give orders to Col. Jedh Elderkin and Nath" Wales jun', Esqrs, to go to New London and to do everything in their power to send out the ship Oliver Cromwell on a cruise, and make report &c. Ortler given Novr 15th, 1776.


Voted and resolved, To appoint Jedh Elderkin and Nath" Wales jun", Esqrs, to examine into the truth of a representation that Capt. Kennedy of a ship loaded out from New York with wheat, bound to France. is manned with captives and prisoners taken by privateers, and that said Captain Kennedy is of a suspected character and it is supposed that the said ship and cargo will in all probability fall into the hands of the enemy. Said Elderkin and Wales to take such affidavits and other evidence as they think proper and material, and make report to the Governor and Council of Safety with all convenient speed. Order given for the above purpose Nov' 15th, 1776.


Voted, To give orders to Mr. Brown of Providence to deliver to Messrs. Elderkin and Wales what sulphur they shall want now in his care, belonging to the continent, agreeable to the resolve of Congress of the 15th of Octor, in that behalf.


Voted. To give order for a quantity of cheese &c. in the hands of Nathan Steadman, said to be ingrossed, and to be held to be proceeded with accord- ing to the law against engrossing Warrant given Novr 15th, 1776, directed to the sheriff of N. London county.


60


PUBLIC RECORDS


[November,


Dr. Sam" Lee of Windham is appointed Surgeon of the ship Oliver Cromwell. And his two apprentices are appointed 2ª and 3ª Mates under him in the order of their standing as apprentices, at the wages of £3 0 0 per month each.


AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT IN NEW ENGLAND IN AMERICA, HOLDEN AT HARTFORD BY SPECIAL ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR, ON THE NINETEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER ANNO DOMINI 1776.


Present :


The Honble Jonathan Trumbull, Esq', Governor.


The Honble Mathew Griswold Esq', Deputy Governor. Jabez Hamlin, Esq", Elisha Sheldon, Esq", Eliphalet Dyer, Esq',


Jabez Huntington, Esq", William Pitkin, Esq", Assistants.


Abraham Davenport, Esq",


Samuel Huntington, Esq",


Richard Law, Esq', William Williams, Esq',


Representatives or Deputies of the Freemen of the several Towns are as follow, viz .:


Colo. John Pitkin, Colo. Thomas Seymour, for Hartford.


Mr. Samuel Lawrence, Majr. Amos Wilcox, for Symsbury. Mr. Neziah Bliss, Mr. John Phelps, for Hebron. Colo. Erastus Wolcott, Mr. Benoni Olcott, for East Windsor. Capt. John Brooks, Mr. Hezekiah Brainerd, for Haddam. Capt. Timothy Pearl, Mr. Moses Holmes, for Willington.


Mr. Ebenezer White, Colo. John Penfield, for Chatham. Mr. Edward Collins, Capt. Ephraim Pease, for Enfield. Colo. Henry Champion, Mr. John Watrous, for Colchester.


61


OF CONNECTICUT.


1776.]


Capt. Elizur Goodrich, Colo. Thomas Belding, for Weathersfield. Capt. Isaac Pinney, Capt. Samuel Daviss, for Stafford. Mr. Benja. Trumbull, Mr. Seth King, for Bolton. Mr. Reuben Sikes, Mr. Aaron Horton, for Somers. Mr. Ebenezer Plummer, Mr. Elijah Hollister, for Glastonbury. Colo. Isaac Lee, Mr. John Treadwell, for Farmington.


Mr. Titus Hosmer, Mr. John Dickinson, for Midletown.


Mr. Daniel Brainerd, Mr. Samuel Huntington, for East Hadam.


Mr. Alexander King, Capt. Abraham Granger, for Suffield. Mr. Ichabod Griggs, Capt. Elijah Chapman, for Toland. Capt. Henry Allyn, for Windsor.


Mr. Samuel Bishop, Colo. Jonathan Fitch, for New Haven. Capt. John Holbrook, Mr. Elijah Hotchkiss, for Derby.


Mr. Joseph Hopkins, Capt. Ezra Brownson, for Waterbury. Colo. Elihu Chauncey, Mr. Benja. Pickett, for Durham. Mr. Samuel Barker, Mr. Dan. Page, for Branford. Mr. Nathaniel Stone, Mr. Nathaniel Ruggles, for Guilford. Mr. Ephraim Strong, Mr. Isaac Miles, for Milford.


Capt. Eliakim Hall, Mr. Samuel Beach, for Wallingford.


Mr. Nathaniel Shaw, jun', Majr William Hillhouse, for New London. Mr. Benja. Huntington, Mr. Rufus Lathrop, for Norwich. Mr. Park Avery, Mr. John Hurlburt, for Groton. Mr. Hezekiah Lane, Capt. Samuel Gale, for Killingworth.


Capt. William Witter, Capt. Asa Kinnee, for Preston. Capt. Daniel Fish, Mr. Joshua Prentiss, for Stonington. Mr. Samuel Field, Capt. Benja. Williams, for Saybrook. Mr. John Lay 2d, Colo. Marshfield Parsons, for Lyme. Mr. Jonathan Sturgis, Mr. Thadeus Burr, for Fairfield. Capt. Robert Fairchild, Capt. Daniel Judson, for Stratford. Mr. James Potter, Capt. Dan Towner, for New Fairfield. Mr. Lemuel Sanford ju., Mr. Stephen Betts jur, for Reading. Mr. Benja. Weed, Mr. John Davenport, for Stamford. Colo. John Mead, Mr. Amos Mead, for Greenwich.


Mr. Samuel Olmsted, Mr. Stephen Smith, for Ridgefield. Capt. Daniel Taylor, Capt. Comfort Hoit, for Danbury. Mr. Thadeus Betts, for Norwalk.


Capt. Jabez Huntington, Capt. Ebenezer Mosely, for Windham. Mr. John Clark, Mr. Joshua West, for Lebanon.


Mr. Elisha Perkins, Mr. Joshua Dunlap, for Plainfield. Mr. Thomas Williams, Mr. Nathan Frink, for Pomfrett. Mr. David Payne, Mr. Eliashib Adams, for Canterbury. Majr. Samuel MeLellan, Capt. Timothy Perrin, for Woodstock. Mr. Constant Southworth, Mr. Edmund Freeman, for Mansfield. Mr. Simon Learned, Mr. Benja. Leavings, for Killingley. Majr James Gordon, Mr. Robert Hunter, for Voluntown. Capt. Ebenezer Kingsbury, Mr. Abraham Burnap, for Coventry. Capt. Benja. Clark, Capt. Elisha Wales, for Ashford. Mr. Jedidiah Strong, for Litchfield.


62


PUBLIC RECORDS


[November,


Capt. Increase Mosely, for Woodbury.


Colo. Joshua Porter, Capt. Abiel Camp, for Salisbury.


Capt. Mathew Gillett, Capt. Isaac Kellogg, for New Hartford.


Mr. Ephraim Bancroft, Capt. Shubael Griswold, for Torrington. Colo. Ebenezer Norton, Mr. David Thomson, for Goshen.


Majr Jethro Hatch, Capt. Justus Sackett, for Kent. Capt. Sherman Boardman, Mr. Abel Hine, for New Milford.


Maj" Ebenezer Gay, Mr. James Pardee, for Sharon.


Capt. Thomas Porter, Mr. Judah Kellogg, for Cornwall.


Capt. John Watson, Mr. Asahel Bebee, for Canaan. Mr. Phineas Kingsbury, Mr. Joseph Wilder, for Hartland.


Capt. John Willson, Mr. Josiah Phelps, for Harwington.


for Westmoreland.


Titus Hosmer, Esq", Speaker, Benjamin Huntington, Esq", Clerk, }


S of the House of Repre- sentatives.


An Act to prevent Monopolies and Oppression by excessive and unreasonable Prices for many of the Necessaries and Conveniences of Life.


Whereas the rapid and exorbitant rise upon the necessaries and conveniences of life in this day of public calamity and distress is chiefly occasioned by monopolizers, the great pest of society, who prefer their own private gain to the interest and safety of their country, and which if not prevented threaten[s] the ruin and destruction of the State,


Be it therefore enacted by the Governor, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That for the future the price of labour in the farming way in the summer season shall not exceed three shillings per diem, and so in the usual proportion at other seasons of the year; and other labour to be com- puted, and of mechanicks and tradesmen according to the usages and customs that have heretofore been adopted and practised in the differ- ent parts of this State compared with farming labour and the prices hereafter set and established. That the prices of the following arti- cles at the place of market shall not exceed the several sums hereafter mentioned, viz : Wheat not to exceed six shillings per bushel, Rye not to exceed three shillings and six pence per bushel, Indian corn not to exceed three shillings per bushel, good merchantable Wool not to exceed two shillings per pound, good clean well dressed Flax not to ex- ceed ten pence per pound, Pork weighing from five to seven score not to exceed three pence one farthing per pound, and from seven to ten score not to exceed three pence half-penny per pound, and all above ten score not to exceed three pence three farthings per pound, Grass fed Beef of the best quality not to exceed twenty-four shillings per hundred, and so in proportion according to its quality, Raw Hides not to exceed three pence per pound, Salt not to exceed ten shillings per bushell, good West India Rum of merchantable proof not to exceed six shillings per gallon per hogshead, best Muscovado Sugar not to exceed sixty shillings per cent. per hogshead, Molasses of the best


63


OF CONNECTICUT.


1776.]


quality not to exceed three shillings per gallon per hogshead, and so in proportion as aforesaid, New England Rum of the best quality not to exceed three shillings and sixpence per gallon per hogshead, and so in like proportion, Bohea Tea not to exceed four shillings and six- pence per pound by the chest, Cheese of the best kind not to exceed sixpence per pound, and so in like proportion, good Fall Butter not to exceed ten pence per pound, and all other necessary articles not enumerated to be in a reasonable accustomed proportion to the above mentioned articles.


And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That whoso- ever shall contract or receive for labour, or vend, sell or receive for any of the above enumerated articles more than at the above rate or price thereto affixed, or for others not enumerated in an unreasonable disproportion thereto, the extraordinary risque and other special cir- cumstances considered, shall be accounted oppressive and deemed guilty of the breach of this act, and be liable to be proceeded with and suffer the pains and penalties of the laws of this State against oppres- sion.


And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all informing officers be and they are hereby directed and especially required strictly to enquire into and due presentment to make of all breaches of the laws made against oppression, in order to prevent the fatal effects of that growing evil.


Whereas the time limited for taking the oath mentioned in and by an act passed in October last for prescribing and enjoining an oath of fidelity to the State, having been now taken into further consideration and the same being in the opinion of this Assembly too short for gen- eral notification among thie people,


Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the time mentioned and limited in said act for the taking of said oath shall be and the same is hereby suspended until the first Monday after the first Tuesday in April next; anything in said act to the contrary notwithstanding.


An Act to enable the Governor to lay an Embargo and for rendering the Same when laid effectual.


Whereas the exportation of necessaries and other articles that may be wanted in times of scarcity and times of war may reduce the inhabitants of this State to great streights and prove very prejudicial to the public interest: Which to prevent,


Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the Governor of this State for the time being, by and with the advice of the Council, is hereby fully impowered and desired, from time to time as there shall be occasion, to issue out and send forth his proclama- tion, thereby to prohibit and forbid the transportation or carrying out


64


PUBLIC RECORDS


[November,


of this State, either by land or water, of any article or thing that his Honor the Governor and his Council shall think necessary and expe- dient to prohibit for the time set and limited in and by such proclama- tion: Provided always, that such embargo shall not extend to hinder any necessary provisions from being put on board any ships of war or privateers or merchant ships or vessells belonging to this State or to any of the inhabitants thereof or to the United States for their neces- sary stores, bills of which stores always to be allowed by some assist- ant or justice of the peace, in which allowance regard is to be had to the number of men and length of the voyage intended, nor shall the same continue in force after the expiration of twenty days next after the beginning of the next General Assembly that shall happen after the date of such proclamation.




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