Assembly Proceedings, April 30-May 14, 1696. 301

John Edmunsens Letter to his Excellency touching Land
laid out at William Stadt was referred and sent down to the
House the 4^th of May Instant following

Monday May 4^th 1696
The Council Again Sate and were Present as on Saturday.

Produced and read a return from Captain Bayne & M^r John
Bigger relating to the divided Counties on the Western Shore
as also a Letter by his Excellency Received from M^r Mason
touching the same were by Order laid before the House for
their consideration
Brought from the House by Major Smithson M^r Frisby
Col^o Pierce & M^r Sanders the following answer to the first
Proposalls made to the House from this Board as follows viz^t
Touching the Indian Land seating is further referred to be
Considered of on Monday morning
Relating to the Addressing his Majesty about the Quarter
Part of the Revenue taken by Governor Copley &c.
This House are of Opinion that nothing is to be had of
Governor Copleys Estate or if their were the same is already
Given by his Sacred Majesty to the said Governor Copleys
Children
Touching Skins and Furrs brought out of Pensylvania &c
the House are of Opinion that the Law is already sufficient
that such Skins & furs pay the duty as other upon Expor-
tation

U. H. J.

4 To have a Bridewell &c.
The House think such Bridewell or House of Correction
very necessary and convenient but the present ill Circum-
stances of this Province will not admit the Beginning or
Carrying on of any more building then already Undertook
5 That a Law be made for the County Justices and Ves-
tries to make yearly Return of their proceedings &c
Resolved that a Bill be prepared therefore
6 How the Clerks of the Vestries and Parishes shall be
paid
Resolved the House will inspect the Act relating to the
40 1 Tobacco p Poll

7 To have a severe Law made against Persons taking up
wild Horses

Voted and Resolved that a Law be considered of to pre-
vent the Great Abuses of Persons driving Horses in the
woods as for Carrying Horses over Potomack out of this
Province into Virginia there is an Act or Law of that Colony
against it
8 To Strengthen the militia Law &c.

p. 866