ANNO REGNI

GEORGII 11,

Regis, Magnæ, Britanniæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ, vicesimo octavo.

Robert Din

At a General Assembly, begun and held at the College in the City of Williamsburg, widdie, esq. on Thursday the twenty seventh day of governor. February, in the twenty fifth year of the reign of our sovereign lord George II. by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. and in the year of our Lord, 1752. And from thence continued by several prorogations, to Thursday the 17th day of October, in the 28th year of his majesty's reign, and in the year of our Lord 1754, and then held at the Capitol in the City of Williamsburg; being the fifth session of this Assembly.

CHAP. I.

An Act for raising the sum of twenty thou sand pounds for the protection of his majesty's subjects against the insults and encroachments of the French.

I. WHEREAS the subjects of the French king, Preamble. have, in open contempt of the treaties subsisting between the crowns of Great Britain and France, invaded this colony, and with an armed force taken pos

Duty.

session of a fort built on the river Ohio, for the protection of his majesty's subjects, and in the most hostile manner attacked the forces sent out by his majesty's command, to build forts on the frontiers of this dominion. And whereas the aid already granted for the encouragement and protection of the settlers upon the waters of the Missisippi, hath not been found sufficient to answer the ends for which it was designed; and this present General Assembly being desirous to prevent such violent usurpations and encroachments, and to testify their zeal for his majesty's service, and the interest of their country, are, notwithstanding the extreme poverty of the people, and the grievous burthen of a poll-tax, willing that it may be enacted:

11. BE it therefore enacted, by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council, and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That the sum of two shillings and six pence, or thirty pounds of tobacco, at the option of the payer, shall be paid by every tithable person within this dominion, on or before the tenth day of April now next ensuing, to the sheriff of each county; and the further sum of two shillings and six pence, or thirty pounds of tobacco, at the option of the payer, shall also be paid to such sheriff, by every such tithable person, on or before the tenth day of October now next ensuing; and in case of neglect or refusal of payment by any person or persons, at or before the time aforesaid, every such sheriff is hereby impowered and required to levy the same, by distress and sale of the delinquent's goods and chattels, which first mentioned sum of two shillings and six pence, or thirty pounds of tobacco per poll, shall be, by every such sheriff, accounted for upon oath, and paid to the treasurer of this colony for the time being, on or before the twenty fifth day of April, now next ensuing; deducting only four per centum for his salary in collecting and paying the same, by such sheriff; and the said other sum of two shillings and six pence, or thirty pounds of tobacco per poll, by such sheriff, shall in like manner be accounted for and paid to the said treasurer, on or before the twenty first day of October, now next ensuing, and shall be by him accounted for to the General Assembly, when thereto required.

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III. And be it further enacted by the authority afore- Sheriffs to said, That the sheriff of every county, shall, at the give bond. first or second court to be held for his county, after the passing of this act, give bond and security for the due collection and payment of the money and tobacco, laid and assessed by this act; and if such sheriff shall be removed from his office, or die before the collection is made, the succeeding sheriff shall, in like manner, give bond and security at the time he shall be sworn into his office.

IV. And be it further enacted by the authority afore- Directors. said, That John Robinson, esq. Charles Carter, Carter Burwell, Benjamin Waller, Richard Bland, James Power, William Digges, Dudley Digges, John Page, John Chiswell, John Norton, William Harwood, gentlemen, Peyton Randolph, and George Wythe, esquires, or any seven of them, shall, from time to time, with the consent and approbation of the governor or commander in chief for the time being, direct and appoint how the said money shall be applied towards maintaining the soldiers already raised or to be raised in this colony, and for defending and protecting the frontiers thereof; and that the said directors shall, as often as there shall be occasion of money for the uses aforesaid, apply themselves to the governor or commander in chief, to issue his warrant to the treasurer for paying so much money as shall be wanting for the purposes aforesaid, not exceeding the sum of twenty thousand pounds, who is hereby required to pay the same accordingly, and shall be allowed the sum of two and an half per centum, for receiving and paying the same; and the said directors shall keep an account of their proceedings, and of the several particular services for which they shall appoint the said money to be laid out, in pursuance of this act, and lay the same before the General Assembly when thereto required.

V. And be it further enacted, by the authority afore- Penalty on said, That if any such sheriff shall neglect or refuse Sheriffs. to account for, and pay the money or tobacco, according to the directions of this act, after deducting the several sums chargeable to persons having no visible estate in his county, it shall and may be lawful for the general court, or the court of the county whereof he is sheriff, upon a motion to thein made by the treasurer, to give judgment against such sheriff,

Provito.

and his security given in pursuance of this act, for all the money or tobacco, wherewith he shall be chargeable by virtue of this act, and thereon to award execution.

VI. Provided, That such sheriff shall have ten days previous notice of such motion.

Preamble.

Power of the

CHAP. II.

An Act for raising levies and recruits to serve in the present expedition against the French, on the Ohio.

I. WHEREAS his majesty has been pleased to send instructions to his Lieutenant Governor of this colony, to raise and levy soldiers for carrying on the present expedition against the French on the Ohio; and this present General Assembly being desirous, upon all occasions, to testify their loyalty and duty; and taking into their consideration, that there are, in every county and corporation within this colony, able bodied persons, fit to serve his majesty, who follow no lawful calling or employment.

II. BE it therefore enacted, by the Lieutenant-GoJustices and vernor, Council, and Burgesses, of this present General method of Assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of enlisting. the sume, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the justices of the peace of every county and corporation within this colony, or any two or more of them, within their several and respective counties and corporations, upon application made to them, by any officer or officers appointed or impowered to enlist men, to raise and levy such able bodied men, as do not follow or exercise any lawful calling or employment, or have not some other lawful and sufficient support and maintenance, to serve his majesty, as soldiers in the present expedition; and to require and command all sheriffs, under-sheriffs, and constables, within their respective counties and corporations, to be aiding and assisting them in putting this act in execution; and for that purpose to issue out warrants