USA > Rhode Island > Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. Printed by order of the General Assembly, Vol. V > Part 4
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And whereas, three of us, viz. : Daniel Abbott, John Jenkins and William Greene, who were a committee on the part of this colony, to revise the bounds be- tween said colony and the colony of Connecticut, did do the same in the year 1739, and then reported to the Honorable General Assembly of said colony, that we found the heap of stones that was made at Warwick corner, in the year 1728, to be re- moved, and gone from the place where it was made ; and that we then, in the pres- ence of near twenty men, made a large heap of stones, in the same place where the former heap was made, near the east side of a tree, which (through a mistake) we then called a pitch pine tree ; and said tree we then marked with the two first letters of our names, viz. : D. A. J.J. W.G .; and there was then on said tree an old mark, on the east side thereof, below where we made the abovesaid letters, which was ent through the bark, so that it was grown partly up; but could then plainly see a letter RE, which letter, with all the abovesid letters, we all now saw on the same tree. And although the bark of said tree looks very much like a pitch pine, yet, upon a more particular and strict examination thereof, we all find the
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same tree to be a white pine tree. It is a middling tree for bigness, something tall ; but does not appear to be a very thrifty tree ; it is something crooked, and the rounding part of the crook hangs towards the north-west.
All which is humbly submitted to the Honorable General Assembly, as the report of
WILLIAM GREENE, JOHN JENKINS,
EZEKIEL WARNER,
ISHMAEL SPINK.
DANIEL ABBOTT,
Whereupon, it is voted and resolved, that the said report be accepted.
Whereas, Col. Daniel Updike, Messrs. James Honeyman, Jr. and Thomas Ward, at the last session of this Assembly, were appointed a committee to draw up a statement of the case re- lating to the controversy between this colony and the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, respecting the eastern bounds of this colony, which being not yet done ;-
It is therefore voted and resolved, that they be still con- tinued, for the purpose aforesaid, with the addition of Peter Bours and Stephen Hopkins, Esqs., they, or the major part of them to draw up the same as soon as may be, to be examined by His Honor, the Governor, and so many of his council as shall be present, and then forthwith sent home by His Honor, the Governor.
Voted and resolved, that the sum of £200 be forthwith sent home to our agent, in Great Britain, to enable him to carry on the appeal from the judgment of the court of commissioners, relating to our eastern boundaries (and other occasions of the colony) ; and that Messrs. Peter Bours, George Goulding and Joseph Whipple, be, and they are hereby appointed a commit- tee to draw money sufficient out of the general treasury ; and procure said sum in silver, gold or bills of exchange, and send the same, with the said appeal ; and that His Honor, the Gov- ernor, write to the said agent, urging him to use his best en- deavors to procure a decree for our demands, in respect to said eastern boundaries.
Whereas, divers inhabitants of the town of Newport, in the county of Newport, did petition this honorable Assembly, for liberty to erect an artillery company in said town, to choose
1151583
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1741.
their officers, with several other privileges in said petition contained ;-
It is thereupon voted and ordered, that Peter Bours, Esq., Col. John Cranston and Mr. Josias Lyndon, be, and they are hereby appointed a committee to draw up a charter for consti- tuting said artillery company, and present the same to the next session of this Assembly.
Upon the petition of sundry inhabitants of the town of Prov- idence, in the county of Providence ;-
It is voted and resolved, that the sum of £80, be, and it is hereby allowed towards the building of Pawtucket bridge ; and that Capt. William Burrough draw the same out of the general treasury, when said bridge is completed.
Voted and resolved, that that part of the act of the General Assembly, passed at their last session, directing the sloop Tar- tar to take a cruise after the soldiers were landed (that are to be transported in her to the camp on the island of Cuba), be, and it is hereby repealed; and that the committee then ap- pointed, put a sufficient number of men upon wages, on board said sloop, for her security ; and also that said sloop be ordered to return as soon as possible, after said soldiers are landed there.
Whereas, the General Assembly of the colony aforesaid, at their session, held on the third Tuesday in August last, did, among other things, enact that the west end of the town of Warwick, in the county of Providence, should be set off and incorporated into a township, and the same to be distinguished and known by the name of Coventry, and for that purpose, ap- pointed Daniel Abbott, John Potter and Thomas Spenser, Esqs., a committee to divide the same, who have made the following report, viz. :
Report of the Committee on the new town of Coventry.
We having met in said Warwick, on the 24th day of August last past, and pro- ceeded to run said line, beginning at the westernmost part of the Coweset Farms, in said Warwick, and from thence run one line south, seven degrees west, until we came to the north bounds of East Greenwich, and the south bounds of said War-
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wick, where we made a large heap of stones, making several heaps of stones in the said line, and marking several trees in said line, with the letter W on the east, and the letter C on the west ; then beginning at the first mentioned bounds, and run north seven degrees east, until we came to the north bounds of said Warwick, and the south bounds of Providence, making a large heap of stones on the east end of a rock, in said bounds, and made several heaps of stones, and marked several trees in said line, as aforesaid ; the which, we now make as our return for the fixed and certain bounds between the aforesaid town of Warwick and the aforesaid town of Coventry ; and that the said town of Coventry be bounded east on the town of Warwick, south on East and West Greenwich, west on the line that divides the colony of Rhode Island, &c., and the colony of Connecticut; and north, on the south bounds of the towns of Providence and Scituate.
Which report is voted to be accepted.
Voted and resolved, that the sum of £62 be allowed and paid out of the general treasury, to Col. Daniel Abbott, being for his service in attending the court of commissioners, relating to the eastern boundaries, and other expenses on said affair.
Upon the petition of sundry persons, relating to a highway in Wecacheconet, in the township of Warwick, in the county of Providence ;-
It is voted and resolved, that Stephen Hopkins, John Jen- kins and Immanuel Northup, Esqs., be, and they are hereby appointed a committee to view and inspect into the circum- stance of the aforesaid highway, and make report to the next session of this Assembly.
God save the King.
Proceedings of the General Assembly held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at South Kingstown, the 1st day of February, 1741-42.
The Hon. Richard Ward, Governor.
The Hon. William Greene, Deputy Governor. With the assistants and deputies from the several towns.
Whereas, Rouse Helme, Esq., Messrs. Jeremiah Lippett and Job Tripp, Jr., were appointed a committee to audit the ac-
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1742.
counts of Col. Joseph Stanton, one of the trustees of the Indian sachem, and to make report thereon, which they accordingly did ; and reported that they found a balance due to the said Joseph Stanton, of £142 12s. 3d., that he had advanced more than received, on account of the said sachem.
Whereas, Mathew Robinson, of Newport, in the county of Newport, presented an account to this General Assembly, as one of the clerks in the late commissioners' court, respecting the eastern boundaries, for his daily attendance on said court, book of records, horse-hire, expenses, &c., craving an allowance and payment thereof ;---
It is thereupon voted and resolved, that the sum of £166 3s. Gd., be allowed and paid to the said Mathew Robinson, by the committee appointed to pay the charges arising on said court.
Voted and resolved, that the sum of £10, be allowed and paid out of the general treasury, to the executors of John Wickes, Esq., deceased, being for the General Assembly's sit -. ting at his house in Warwick, several times, and for fire-wood and attendance at said times.
Whereas, upon the settlement between this colony, and the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, of the accounts relating to the controversy about the boundaries, there was a balance due to this colony of $173 16s. 1d. ;-
It is therefore resolved, that Peter Bours, Esq., be, and he is hereby appointed to write to Samuel Wells, Esq., to urge the payment of said balance, and receive the same.
Voted and resolved, that Col. John Cranston, Messrs. Josias Lyndon and James Martin, be. and they are hereby appointed a committee, to audit the accounts of Peter Bours and William Ellery, E.qs., Mossrs. George Goulding and Joseph Whipple, who were the persons appointed to draw money out of the gen- cral treasury to defray the charges of the commissioners, &e., and make report to the next session of this Assembly.
Voted and resolved, that Mr. Samuel Perry, be, and he is hereby dismissed from being a trustee to George Ninegret, the Indian Pachem. the said sachem having desired the same.
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AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
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Voted and resolved, that James Honeyman, Jr. and Thomas Ward, Esqs., and James Martin, be, and they are hereby ap- pointed a committee, to revise the laws of this colony, in order that the same may be re-printed in a suitable time.
Whereas, the preservation of this colony in time of war, de- pends, under God, chiefly upon the military skill and discipline of the inhabitants ; and it being necessary, in order to revive and perpetuate the same, to form and establish a military com- pany, which, by acquainting and accustoming themselves to the military exercises by more frequent trainings, than the body of the people can attend, may serve for a nursery of skill- ful officers ; and in time of an actual invasion, by their superior skill and experience may render the whole militia more useful and effectual ;-
And whereas, a number of the principal inhabitants of the town of Newport, viz .: Jahleel Brenton, Godfrey Malbone, Samuel Wickham, Henry Collins, John Gidley, James Honey- man, Jr., John Brown, Nathaniel Coddington, Jr., Peleg Brown, Charles Bardin, Simon Pease, David Chesebrough, Philip Wil- , kinson, John Freebody, Jr., Thomas Wickham, Walter Cranston, Seuton Grant and William Vernon, have freely offered them- selves to begin, and with such others as shall be added to them, to form such a company ; and by their humble petition, have prayed this Assembly to grant them a charter, with such privileges, and under such restrictions and limitations, as the Assembly shall think proper ;-
Wherefore, this Assembly, for the reasons and considera- tions aforesaid, and in order that all due encouragement may be given to the laudable and useful design of the petitioners, have ordained, constituted and granted, and by these presents do ordain, constitute and grant, that they, the said petitioners, Jahleel Brenton, Godfrey Malbone, Samuel Wickham, Henry Collins, John Gidley, James Honeyman, Jr., John Brown, Na- thaniel Coddington, Jr., Peleg Brown, Charles Bardin, Simon Pease, David Chesebrough, Philip Wilkinson, Jolin Freebody, Jr., Thomas Wickham, Walter Cranston, Sueton Grant and William Vernon, together with such others as shall be hereaf
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1742.
ter added to them (not exceeding the number of one hundred in the whole, officers included), be, and they are hereby de- clared to be a military company, by the name of the Artillery Company, of the town of Newport ; and by that name, they shall have perpetual succession, and shall have and enjoy all the rights, powers and privileges in this grant hereafter mentioned.
[The charter of this company is omitted here.]
[The following public laws passed in the year 1741, will be found printed at length in the public laws of 1744, except those designated as repealed.]
An Act for the more effectual putting the colony in a proper posture of defence.
An Act for regulating the laying out highways in the sev- cral towns of this colony.
An Act for equipping the colony's sloop, and sending her out on a cruise, &c.
An Act for laying an embargo on vessels (bound to sca) on any emergent occasion.
An Act for prohibiting the exportation of provisions and naval stores to any foreign ports.
An Act empowering the town council of each town within this colony, to bind out as apprentices, poor children, that are likely to become chargeable to the town wherein they live.
An Act for ascertaining the board wages of all persons that shall be employed to work at Fort George. (Repealed.)
An Act made in addition to an act, entitled " An act made in addition to, and in amendment of an act passed Septem- ber, 1740, for the emission of £20,000, in bills of public credit."
An Act for striking off £2,000 in bills of public credit of the new tenor, for the supply of the general treasury.
An Act for lengthening the time of vessels' cruising, that are employed in the colony's service.
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AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
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An Act in addition to an act, appointing court martials within this colony.
An Act for appointing and erecting a court of equity, to hear and determine all appeals in personal actions from the judgments of the superior court.
An Act in addition to an act entitled " An act for establishing vendue masters throughout this colony."
An Act for incorporating the west end of the town of Warwick into a township, and the same to be distinguished and known by the name of Coventry.
An Act for emitting £2,000 of the new tenor, for defraying the charge of raising and transporting a number of recruits to the English camp on the island of Cuba.
An Act for hearing and determining all such appeals, as bonds shall be given for, from the judgments of the superior court of judicature, held by adjournment in September, 1741. (Repealed.)
An Act for calling in and exchanging the £24,000, emitted by by this colony in the year 1740.
An Act enabling George Ninegret, sachem, to sell some land in the Narragansett country, for the payment of his just debts.
God save the King.
Proceedings of the General Assembly held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Providence, the 4th day of May, 1742.
The Hon. Richard Ward, Governor. The Hon. William Greene, Deputy Governor. VOL. V. 6
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1742.
ASSISTANTS.
Mr. Peter Bours,
Mr. John Dexter,
Mr. William Ellery,
Mr. Daniel Ilowland,
Mr. Richard Fenner,
Mr. Christopher Phillips,
Mr. William Robinson, speaker. Mr. Josias Lyndon, clerk.
Voted, that the following be admitted freemen of this colony :
Of Newport, Clothier Pearce, Jr., William Wiatt, Grindall, Thurst n Gideon Cornell, Seth Luther, George Cornell, son of William ; Charles Wickham, Jolm Sherman, Samuel Tilling- hast, James Milward, John Dawby, Joseph Cowley, Thomas Davenport, Joseph Stacey, Aaron Sutton, Benjamin Clarke, John Curtain, Peleg Chapman, Peter Bowdoin, Francis Pope, Thomas Freebody, Joseph Thurston, John Dennis and John Brewer.
Of Providence, Stephen Hopkins, John Angel, the 3d, Eli- jah Dean, Nathan Mathewson, Jonathan Olney, Timothy Ma- son, John Wanton, John Colwell, Joshua Remington, Edward Thurber, John Johnson, Richard Smith, Israel Gibbs, Roger Kinnicutt and Samuel Curry.
Of Portsmouth, William Earle, Jr., Francis Brayton and Sam- uel Pearce.
Of Warwick, William Wood, Robert Westgate, Jr., Joseph Phillip, Increase Greene and Edward Case.
Of North Kingstown, Arthur Aylesworth, son of Philip ; Philip Card, Samuel Thomas, James Fowler, Benjamin Bur- dick, Robert Nichols and Ezekiel Sheffield.
Of South Kingstown, Jeoffrey Hassard, Roger Mowrey, Ste- phen Cotterel, Jr., George Gardner, Jr., William Taylor, Tenant Tift, Thomas Hlassard, son of Robert ; Thomas Browning and William Hlassard.
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Of East Greenwich, Caleb Vaughan and Thomas Nichols, son of Thomas.
Of Jamestown, John Carr and John Clarke, tanner.
Of Scituate, Joseph Wilkinson, Charles Beers, Benjamin Taylor, William King, John Stafford and Hezekiah Walker.
Of Glocester, Thomas Field, Abner Bartlett and Hezekiah Mitchell.
Of Charlestown, Thomas Gould, Joseph Tanner, Enoch Lewis and Joseph Card.
Of West Greenwich, Thomas Draper, James Reynolds, son of Francis ; Jacob Lewis and John Albro.
Of Coventry, Aaron Bowen, Samuel Cook, John Atherton, Benjamin Blanchard, Ebenezer Perkins, Joseph Carpenter, Adam Love, Daniel Welch, Samuel Cook, Jr., Joseph Sweet, Joseph Arnold, Gabriel Love, James Stronnihorn, Richard Herendon, William Bennett and Mathew Roberts.
Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Newport, the first Wednesday in May, 1742.
The Hon. Richard Ward, Governor. The Hon. Willian Greene, Deputy Governor. With the assistants and deputies from the several towns.
DEPUTIES.
For Newport. Mr. George Goulding, Mr. Daniel Gould, Mr. Nicholas Easton, Col. John Cranston, Mr. Joseph Whipple, Capt. Ezbon Sanford.
For Providence. Col. Daniel Abbott, Mr. William Burton, Col. Jabez Bowen, Capt. Jonathan Randall.
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1742.
DEPUTIES.
For Portsmouth.
Mr. John Lawton,
Capt. Jeremiah Lawton, Mr. Robert Lawton, Mr. Wm. Anthony, Jr. For Warwick.
Major Joseph Stafford, Mr. John Rhodes,
Capt. Wm. Rice,
Mr. Barlow Greene. For Westerly.
Mr. William Champlin, Jr .. Capt. John Maxon. For New Shoreham.
Mr. Edward Sands,
Mr. William Rock. For North Kingstown. Mr. John Reynolds, Col. Immanuel Northup. For South Kingstown. Mr. Wm. Robinson, Mr. Jonathan Hassard.
For Eust Greenwich. Mr. John Spenser, Jr., Mr. John Fry. For Jamestown. Capt. Benjamin Sheffield. Capt. Josiah Arnold. For Smithfield. Mr. James Aldrich, Mr. John Sayles. For Scituate. Mr. Job Randall,
Mr. Thomas Realph. For Glocester. Capt. John Smith, Mr. Richard Steere. For Charlestown. Mr. Samuel Perry, Capt. Christopher Champlin. For West Greenwich.
Mr. John Spenser,
Mr. Joseph Slocum. For Coventry.
Capt. Abel Potter, Mr. Robert Greene.
Mr. William Robinson, speaker. Mr. Josias Lyndon, clerk.
The following officers were declared elceted, and duly engaged.
The Hon. Richard Ward, Governor.
The Hon. William Greene, Deputy Governor.
ASSISTANTS.
Mr. Peter Bours, Mr. William Ellery,
Mr. Ezekiel Warner,
Mr. Richard Fenner, Mr. John Dexter,
Mr. Daniel Howland,
Mr. Philip Arnold,
Capt. James Arnold.
Mr. Daniel Coggeshall,
Mr. Rouse Helme.
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SECRETARY. GENERAL TREASURER.
Mr. James Martin.
Mr. Gideon Wanton.
His Honor, the Governor, took the oath to the acts of trade and navigation, in presence of the general council.
Voted and resolved, that His Honor, the Deputy Governor and Col. Daniel Abbott, be a committee to join with a commit- tee to be appointed by the General Assembly of the colony of Connecticut, in order to erect a large monument at Warwick south-west corner, in the line between this colony, and the said colony of Connecticut, in the same place that was settled and agreed upon by committees appointed by both said colonies, some years past ; and that His Honor, the Governor, or deputy governor, write to the government of Connecticut, desiring them to appoint a committee to meet our committee at said place, at such time as they shall appoint ; and if it shall so happen, that no committee of said colony of Connecticut, do not meet our said committee, at the time and place, aforesaid, then they are to proceed ex parte, and erect a monument in the place above mentioned.
Whereas, John Potter, of South Kingstown, in the county of Kings county, did, by petition to this Assembly, set forth, that at the superior court of judicature, &c., held at Newport, within and for said colony, on the last Tuesday in March past, he was sentenced to stand in the pillory five times, or pay five several fines, amounting in the whole to £10,000, the last pay- ment to be made, or punishment suffered to be on the 21st day of June next ; and being desirous to avoid suffering the infa- mous punishment, aforesaid (it being a thing impracticable to raise so large a sum within so short a time), prayed that he might have the liberty of paying in gold dust at £20 per ounce, into the general treasury, the sum of £5,000, being the one-half of his several fines; and that thereupon this honorable Assembly would please to allow a further time for the payment of the other half into the general treasury, he giving good security for that purpose ;-
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1742.
Whereupon, it is voted and resolved, that the said petitioner, John Potter, have the liberty of paying the sum of £5,000 (being one-half of all his fines), into the general treasury, in gold dust, at £20 per ounce ; and that Peter Bours, Esq., be, and he is hereby appointed to examine said gold dust, with the general treasurer, to see that the same is merchantable ; and that upon the petitioner's so doing, he have a further time granted, until the Sth day of October, next ensuing, for the payment of the other £5,000, being the remaining half of all his fines, he giving bond to the general treasurer of this colony, with two sufficient sureties, to pay the same at the said time.
Whereas, the inhabitants of New Shoreham, in the county of Newport, did set forth, that they were under difficult cir- cumstances respecting their piers, the old one being almost de- stroyed, and the new one barred up, occasioned by great storms in the winter seasons; and as the said piers are not only of great service to the said inhabitants, but to all others living within the government, the same being convenient for boats and small vessels to harbor in ; and as your petitioners have been at great charges to repair the same, and their en- deavors have hitherto proved fruitless, by the frequent storms that have happened, before the same could be completed, therefore prayed this General Assembly to allow them so much money (towards building the pier) as was allowed last summer to the soldiers sent there, for their assistance, and that they would lessen that charge by doing more duty themselves ;-
Whereupon, it is voted and ordered, that the sum of £200 be allowed and paid out of the general treasury, to Capt. Edw. Sands, for the uses and purposes aforesaid.
Whereas, Col. John Cranston (as captain of Fort George), did present to this General Assembly, an account for his own service the last year, and for the service and allowance of board wages, to the gunner, and two other men at said fort, from the 1st day of November, 1741. to the 1st day of May instant, being six months, and amounting to the sum of £220 16x., craving an allowance thereof ;-
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Whereupon, it is voted and resolved, that the said sum of £220 16s., be allowed and paid out of the general treasury, to the said John Cranston, for him to pay the said gunner and two other men, their several parts thereof.
God save the King.
Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Newport, the 21st day of June, 1742.
The Hon. Richard Ward, Governor.
The Hon. William Greene, Deputy Governor.
With the assistants and deputies from the several towns.
Voted and resolved, that the sum of £15 be allowed and paid out of the general treasury, to Benjamin Ellery and Peter Bours, Esqs., being for their trouble in procuring and charter- . ing the sloop Olive Branch, Aaron Sheffield, master, for pur- chasing the provisions and stores in said sloop, to accommodate the honorable commissioners from Nova Scotia.
Whereas, Benjamin Ellery and Peter Bours, Esqs., Messrs. Joseph Whipple and Josias Lyndon, were appointed a commit- tee to audit the accounts respecting the billeting of soldiers in the county of Newport, that were raised in this colony, to go against the Spaniards, and the charges accruing thereon, did report that they had examined the several accounts relating thereto, and found the whole of the amount of the said accounts exhibited by Col. John Gardner, to be £3070 18s. 4d .;-
It is thereupon voted and resolved, that the said report be accepted (saving one article of ££17 10s. for the board of Ser- geant Welsh's wife, paid James Davis, which is rejected), the persons exhibiting said accounts, having received full satisfac- tion for the same.
Whereas, Benjamin Ellery and Peter Bours, Esqs., Messrs.
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1742.
Joseph Whipple and Josias Lyndon were appointed a commit- tee to audit the accounts respecting the billeting of soldiers in the county of Kings county, that were raised in this colony, to go on an expedition against the Spaniards, and the charges ac- cruing thereon, did report that they had examined the several accounts relating thereto, and found the whole of the amount of said accounts exhibited by Col. Joseph Stanton, to be £541 2s. ;-
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