FOR more effectually securing the commonwealth against the designs and attempts of certain evil minded persons, now or lately in the counties herein after mentioned, who, lost to all sentiments of virtue, honour, or regard for their country, have been induced to aid the enemy:

Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That Samuel Washington, Gabriel Jones, and Joseph Reed, esquires, commissioners appointed by the United States of America in congress assembled to repair to Fort Pitt in order to investigate the rise, progress, and extent of the disaffection in that quarter, or such other persons as shall be appointed in their room, and shall undertake to execute the office, be authorised and empowered, and they are hereby authorised and empowered, at any time within six months after the passing of this act, to apprehend such inhabitants of the counties of Ohio, Monongalia, and Yohogania, as shall appear to the said commissioners to have been concerned in any conspiracy or plot against the said states, or any or either of them, and to deliver the offenders over to the proper civil officer to be prosecuted according to law.

And to provide for the farther protection and defence of the frontiers, Be it farther enacted, That the governour, with the advice of the privy council, may order a such part of the militia as may be most convenient, and as they shall judge necessary, consistently with the safety of the commonwealth, to act in conjunction with any troops on any expedition which may be undertaken by desire of the United States of America, in congress assembled, against any of our western enemies; and also, that the governour, with advice of the privy council, at any time within nine months after the passing of this act, may empower a number of volunteers, not exceeding six hundred, to march against and attack any of our said enemies, and may appoint the proper officers and give the necessary orders for the expedition.