Assembly Proceedings, May 10-June 9, 1692. 293

ance: being charged therewith he Confessed that being sev-
eral times urged and provoked by the many Villanous Actions
of the said Servant in Theiving & frequent running away &c.
without any hopes of Amendment he was forced at last to use
that Severity towards her in order to reclaim her, thinking
that as his Slave, he might do with her as he pleased; He is
Ordered a while to withdraw.
M^r Dent from the house came to desire this Board to remitt
what Bills lay before them to the house, for that their Clerks
were now ready to go about Engrossing the Same
Proceed to reading the said Bills Viz^t
The Act for Preservation of severall Harbours &c. read
here the third time (Remark) the Terminative part (if any to
be) being by reason of the Obliteration rendered Imperfect
wants Amendment.
The Act for Limitation of Actions &c. read here 2^d time
The Act against Hogstealers &c read 2^d time here &
referred to further Consideration
The Act relating to Seizure of Tobacco by the Sheriff read
here 2^d time
The Act for securing Merchants & others Tobacco^s &c.
read here 2^d time
The Act for marking high ways &c. read here 2^d time
(Remark) there ought to be a fine Imposed upon the Over-
seers for their neglect as well as upon the Commissioners and
the Labourers by them Appointed for any Defect in them.
The Act Prohibiting Arrests on the Sabboth Days &c. read
here 2^d time
The Act Declaring what shall be done by the Sheriffs
ex officio read 2^d time
The Act against Burners of Fences; read here the 2^d time
The Act Concerning the height of Fences; read here the
2^d time.
The Speaker and other the members of the house attend
the Board in Conference & proceed to the same in relation to
the several Bills offered by them this Sessions Viz^t
The Act for Recognition. They agree to the Amendment
desired.
The Act against Hogstealers &c. Referring to another
Act, they say that Act is now revived so the Penalty Ascer-
tained, but they are desired to Consider of some other Penalty
then Cropping &c. as not suiting with his Excellencys Instruc-
tions to inflict any such Punishment Contrary to the Laws of
England, and therefore propose Servitude or other Penalty
more Suitable to the fact, They will consider of, and as the
Onus Probandi do lye upon the Party with whom found they

U. H. J.