The Capitol, the twenty-fifth day of October, in the 9th year of the reign of our sovereign lady Anne, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Queen, defender of the faith, &c. Anno Domini, 1710; and thence continued by several prorogations, to the seventh day of November, Anno Domini, 1711.

CHAP. I.

An Act for appointing Rangers.

Alex. Spotswood, Esq. Governor.

[From MS.]

HEREAS a great number of barbarous, disorderly and lawless persons, of the Indian nations, Preamble. have successively for many years last past, resided in and frequented the frontiers of this colony, and after the most horrid and notorious crimes by them committed, takeing the advantage of the large wast and uninhabited grounds and woods, escape and avoid the hand of justice: For prevention whereof, and for the safeguard and secureing the said frontiers' and the inhabitants thereof, from all injury, violence, spoyle and rapine of the said Indians.

Be it enacted, by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council, and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly. and Governor to by the authority of the same, That from and after appoint lieuthe passing of this act, the lieutenant governor, or tenants of the commander in chief of this colony and dominion, rangers. for the time being, is impowered and desired, with the advice of the council, to constitute and appoint such persons as he shall think fitt, to be lieutenants or commanders of the rangers for the said frontiers; each of which lieutenants, so constituted and appointed, shall choose out and list eleven able bodyed men, with horses and accoutrements, arms and ammunition, residing as B-Vol. 4.

near as conveniently as may be, to that frontier station for which he shall be lieutenant of the rangers, to serve under him as their commander. But if such lieutenant cannot find a sufficient number of able bodyed men, furTo be provided with ele--nished and provided according to the directions of this ven men.act, to serve voluntarily under him, then and in such case it shall and may be lawfull for the commander in chief of the militia in the same county, and he is hereby impowered and required, upon the application of such lieutenant, to order and impress out of the militia of that county, so many able bodyed men, furnished as aforesaid, residing next to that frontier station, as shall make up the number of eleven. And such lieutenant and lieutenants, and the men under his and their respective commands, shall observe, perform and keep such orders and directions in their saverall rangings and marchings as such lieutenant and lieutenants shall, from time to time, receive from the lieutenant-governor or the commander in chief of this colony and dominion, for the time being.

Indians, how

with.

And be it further enacted, That if any lieutenant of to be dealt the rangers, or any the men under his command, shall in their marching and ranging meet with or see any Indian or Indians whatsoever, such lieutenant and such men shall endeavour by all possible means to apprehend and seize such Indian and Indians. And if upon examination of such Indian or Indians, he or they see cause, shall seize such Indian and Indians and convey him and them before one of her Majesty's justices of the peace, which justice shall if he see cause upon further examination commit such Indian and Indians to the custody of the sheriff of his county, to be by him conveyed to the lieutenant-governor or the commander in chief of this dominion, for the time being, for further examination; and the said justice shall then also certifye the cause of such Indian or Indians' committment.

Indians tak

en, belong ing to a tribe at war, to be

transported

and sold.

And be it further enacted, That if any Indian or Indians so taken shall upon examination or tryal be found to belong to any of the nations in warr with this government, such Indian and Indians shall be transported and sold, and the benefitt of such sale shall intirely belong to that party of rangers by which he or they were apprehended. And if any Indian or Indians which shall be mett with or seen by such lieutenant or his men,

shall resist, fly or run away, so as such Indian or Indians cannot be apprehended or taken, whereby it may happen that such Indian may be wounded or killed in the pursuit.

It is hereby enacted and declared, That the person or persons killing or wounding such Indian or Indians shall incurr no penalty or prosecution for the same.

killed awhite

person.

And be it further enacted, That if at any time dureing Reward for the continuance of this act, any inhabitant of this colo- taking an Inny shall be killed or wounded by an Indian, there shall dian who had be paid to any person or persons that shall upon fresh pursuit take and secure such Indian so as he may be brought to tryal for the said fact, a reward of twenty pounds, current money of Virginia, by the general assembly of this colony. And if such Indian shall resist so as he cannot be apprehended alive, any person or killed,if they persons that shall in that case shoot or kill such Indian, resist. shall receive the like reward of twenty pounds, cur

rent money, to be paid as aforesaid.

Indians to be

And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That there shall be levyed and paid to every lieutenant. or commander of the rangers, for himself, his horse, tenant and Pay of lieuwith accoutrements, arms and ammunition, for his men. service for one year, five thousand pounds of tobacco, with cask, and in proportion to that for a lesser time than a year. And to every man listed under such lieutenant or commander, for himself, his horse, with accoutrements, arms and ammunition, for his service for one year, three thousand pounds of tobacco, with cask, and in proportion to that for a lesser time than a year, out of the public levy, which tobacco shall be levyed and raised in the county where such lieutenant and rangers reside, or in some one or more of the next adjacent countys. And for the greater encouragement of the said rangers, every officer and other persons listed under Encourage. him shall be and is hereby declared to be free and exempted from the payment of the said county and parish levys dureing their continuance in the said service. Such man so listed producing a certificate under the hand of his lieutenant or commander, setting forth the time such man shall have been in the said service, and making oath thereunto.

ment to ran

gers.

And be it also enacted, That if any lieutenant or comPenalty for mander of the rangers, or any man listed under such disobedience lieutenant or commander, by virtue of this act, shall of order.