APRIL 1692.−−−4th WILLIAM & MARY.

ACT I.

An act for the better defence of the Countrey.

BE it enacted by their majesties lieutenant Governour, Councell and Burgess of this present Generall Assembly, and the authority thereof, and it is hereby enacted, That one act of assembly made at James City, the 16th day of Aprill last, entituled an act for the better defence of the Countrey, and all clauses therein be, stand, and are from henceforth repealed and voyd, to all intents and purposes whatsoever.

And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that whereas one lieutenant, eleaven soldiers, and two Indians well furnished with horses and other accoutrements, re already listed on the head of each river to range and scout at the heads of the said great rivers, for which they serve, and in such other places, as shall be most likely to discover our enemies, that the said soldiers be, and are hereby continued as already settled, for soe long time not exceeding the last day of Aprill 1693, as the governour with the advice of the councell shall think convenient and necessary, and that the pay of each officer and soldier shall be as followeth, the lieutenant or commander of each party of soldiers finding himself horse, arms, amunition and provision, shall have and receive five thousand pounds of tobacco and casque out of the publique Levy, for one whole (a) year, and soe after that rate for a longer or shorter time, and each soldier finding himself horse, armes, furniture, amunition and other necessaries, three thousand pounds of tobacco and casque, and so after that rate for a longer or shorter time. And whereas it is impossible at present soe to provide that the countrey be effectually defended with the least trouble and charge to the inhabitants thereof.

Be it enacted by their Majesties Lieutenant Governour, Councell and Burgesses of this present generall assembly and the authority thereof, and it is hereby enacted, That the Lieutenant Governour or Commander in Chiefe for the time being, with the advice of the Councell, have power upon all occations between this time and the last day of Aprill, which shall be in the year 1693, to raise, levy and muster soe many and such a number of men, horses, arms and amunition, for the better defence of the same, and such forces already raised or to be raised, at all times to disband and discharge, as to them shall seem most conducing to the advantage of this dominion, which said soldiers already setled or to be raised by force of this act, are upon all occations to observe, performe, and keepe all such directions, orders and commands, as shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governour or Commander in Chiefe for the time being, with the advice of the Councell, and shall receive pay and be satisfyed proportionably to the time they shall be in service and after these rates, viz.

Each Captain finding himselfe horse, arms, amunition, provision, and all other necessaries, ten thousand pounds of tobaccoe and casque for one whole year, and so proportionably for a longer or shorter time, each Lieutenant finding and providing himselfe as aforesaid, after the rate as in this act before exprest, and every private soldier mounted, armed and provided as aforesaid, after the rate in this act before exprest and mentioned.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, and it is hereby enacted, That the two Indians by this act appointed shall each of them have and receive from the Lieutenant of the Raingers to whome he belongs, eight yards of duffils and two barrels of Indian corn for his service for one yeare, and so proportionably for a longer or shorter time, and the said lieutenant shall be reimburst by the publique, and that the said lieutenant doe take care and provide by warrant from the Commander in Chiefe of the county where hee resides for each of the said Indians, one able horse, bridle and saddle, for which the owner or owners of the said horse or horses furnished as aforesaid shall have and receive from the countrey in the next publique levy, after the rate of eighty pounds of tobacco and casque for one month, and so proportionably for a longer or shorter time.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, and it is hereby enacted, That for the future if any English or Indians shall bring any news or give any intelligence to any of their majesties officers civil or military, that he or they bringing the same (a) be kept in custody till it may reasonably be known whether what they report be true or not, and if it prove true and be of use and service to the government he or they shall be well rewarded, but if false, punished as the crime shall deserve, and the court of the county where such intelligence shall be given together with the militia officers are hereby impowered to consider what reward any person shall deserve, and certifie the same to the next generall assemble for allowance, as also to cause to be inflicted such punishments as any persons crime shall deserve.