fence of this his Maj'ty's Province, the several duties & impost upon the comodities following, to be exported out or imported into this Province, for the space of one year, to commence from the first day of December next following, viz.: For each M. boards and each M. of Hhd. Staves one shilling p. M. money; each M. Red oak Hhd. Staves and wt oake bbl. staves, 84 p. M.; each M. of white oake pipe staves 164 p; for mast yards and Bowsprits transported beyond sea, from twenty inches and upwards, 4a for every inch diameter, and additional duty of impost upon each pipe of Wine and Hhd. Rum five shillings; provided always & with this limitation that the Honble Lieut. Governor and Council do join with the Representatives convened in General Assembly humbly to petition his most excellent Maj'ty that, considering the poverty & danger of this Province, being not able of ourselves to support a separate Government, to pray that we may be annexed to the Massachusetts Government, or otherwise, as his Majesty in his Royal wisdom shall think meet.

The Lieut. Governor proposed to the Assembly, (viz.):

Gentlem": Having at your first sitting proposed for raising of money for passing of yo' Laws in England, least by reason of want of due application your Laws be rejected; desire your answer to the same.

The Assembly answered, they had considered what proposed; but find the Province was not capable to raise more money at present.

The Lieut. Governor proposed, if Boston should not send men, whether he should write to the King for men.

Refused to answer.

The Lieut. Govern' ordered the Letter sent to Lieut. Govern Stoughton with the minitt of Council of Octob 30th, at Hampton, to be read as followeth.

Desired by the Board that aplication might be made to Lieut. Govern' Stoughton for 25 men to be sent from that [P. XXVII.] Government for his maj'ty's service & security

of the frontiers of this Province; paying their part of wages according to former agreement.

Honorable Sir: This day in Council, as per minute inclosed, the Board desired your Honor's favor for the service of his maj'ty & securitie of this Province, upon the terms formerly agreed, that your Hon' would be pleased to order 25 men for the same. Sir, please to let me have an answer by the Express sent, desiring the same wth all expedition may be dispatch'; in which you will oblige your most humble servant, J. U.

Lieut. Govern Stoughton's Letter, 7th November, in answer to this Board of October 30th, was read to both Houses (viz.):

Hon'ble Sirs: I am commanded by the Honble the Lieut. Governor, to acquaint you he has advised with the proposals made by yourselves for 25 men which you desire may be sent for the securitie of the Frontiers within your Province, you paying a part of their wages according to former agreements, and to assure you the same readiness is in himself & the Gentle" of the Council here to give you what assistance they reasonably may (as they have always been) for defense of his Maj'tys interest with you as need shall require. But on consideration of the great standing charge of this Province, weh is almost insupportable, and the many advantages wch yo Province has, and considerable number of men above what are in the remote parts of this, Its thought not so equal a proposition that yr Frontiers be enforced at the charge of y' neighbors, who are already so greatly oppressed with the fatigue of the war, besides the difficulty there is in raising men here, so many being wasted by the war, sickness and other calamities, and removed into other parts. Some of y' towns, especially Hampton, are numerous in men and not so exposed but that there may be drawn thence, for the defence of the frontiers as a constant guard. What shall be farther necessary to relieve you if the enemy come to press upon you, will be cheerfully afforded upon application from y'selves. By comd of his Honor the Lieut. Govern', &c.

ISA: ADDINGTON, Secry'.

The Lower House being withdrawn, the Lieut. Govern asked the Board if they had any thing to offer. The Board

were silent.

The Bill for the £400 Rate being Ingrost, past both Houses, and was assented to by the Lieut. Govern'.

The Lieut. Govern' adjourned the House, and sent the Secretary down to acquaint the Assembly of the same [XXVIII.] that they might adjourn their House to the same time. Adjourned until the second Wednesday in July next, July 8th, 1696.

At a Council and General Assembly held by adjournment, at New Castle, Wednesday, July 8th, 1696.

Present, The Lieut. Govern',

The Lieut. Govern sent for the Lower House; both Houses being met, the Lieut. Govern' recommended the Assembly to consider of what lay before them their last session. Adjourn to Thursday, ten of the clock.

A vote from the Lower House sent up for drawing up a Bill for administering the Oaths apointed by act of Parliament to all male persons from sixteen years old and upwards, throughout the Province. Past both houses.

Major Wm Vaughan and Mr. Richa Waldron, Esqs., were apointed a comitty to draw up the Bill for administering the oaths, and John Pickring and John Plaisted were appointed to join with them.

A vote for encouragem soldiers that are maimed past both Houses. Peter Coffin and Hen. Green apointed to draw up the said Bills, & John Woodman & Theophilus Dudley appointed to joyne.

A Bill was sent up to desire that aplication might be made to the Government of the Massachusetts for 50 men. Desired that an Express might be sent to Boston accordingly.

Present, The Lieut. Govern".

Nath. Fryar,
Robt. Elliott, Esqs.
Hen. Green,

Held July 13th, 1696.

Wm Vaughan,

Esqs.

Rich Waldron, (

[P. XXIX.] The Lieut. Govern' being present sent for the other House and acquainted them with his proceedings, for understand the state of the Province & in taking care of the security of his Majesty's subjects here by visiting all the Garrisons, & declared the inhabitants desired the continuance of the soldiers.

Whereas the Assembly desired that fifty men might be sent for from Boston to range the frontiers of this Province at the charge of the same; The Lieut. Govern' ordered the letters to be read, which was to signify they could not supply with men from Boston Governmt.

The Lieut. Govern' having laid before the Assembly the

methods he had taken for security of the Province & of his Maj'tys subjects, demanded of them to know what irregular methods he had taken in the managemt of affairs for the preservation of the same. Answered, they know of none but what was for the good of the place.

The Lieut. Govern' demanded of both Houses if he had taken any wrong methods, or ill conduct in the managem of affairs in the Governmt. Answered noe. The Left Gov demanded of both Houses whether three of the Assembly was a House & could adjourn, and whether it was legal. Answered that there was no prefixt number appointed, and that it was legal.

Several votes and Bills being read the L' Govern' desired they might be past & fitted to be Ingrost, and test the house to adjourn themselves (viz.), A vote of raising six hundred pounds; a vote to continue the Law about the Post, &c.; a vote for settling a Ferrie between Portsmo' & N. Castle.

Wm Vaughan & Richard Waldron, Peter Coffin and Robt. Elliott, were apointed comitty to draw up the said Bills; and Wm Furber, John Pickring and John Plaisted & John Woodman were appointed to joyn them.

Held by adjournment July 234, 1696.
Present, The Leifete. Govern',

The Leift. Govern sent for the Lower House and the