Assembly Proceedings, April 30-May 14, 1696. 321

An Act for Laying Imposition upon Negro Slaves and
White Servants
An Act Impowering the Commissioners of the County of
Kent to Purchase three Acres whereon to build a Court
House
An Act of Assembly to prevent people driveing away
Horses into the Woods
An Act appointing the Justices of each respective County
within this Province and Vestries of each respective Parish to
return the County Levy and proceeding to the Governor and
Council yearly
An Act for Speedy Justice in Encouragement of Trade
An Act for Reviving the Temporary Laws of this Province
An Act for Assessing the 3^s p hhd upon Tobacco towards
the defraying the necessary Charge of the province
An Act for the Naturalization of John Edger of Somerset
County
The which said several Bills were perused read and
Assented to by his Majestys honble Council
Another Bill being received and read for Laying the
Publick Leavy &c will not be Assented to there being no
Account before this Board to particularize any Allowance

U. H. J.

The honble Col^o Henry Jowles Added
Read a petition preferred by M^r Robinson and several
others merchants Traders praying an Explanation upon the
Ten p Cent Act &c
Ordered that the same be laid before the House for their
Consideration
The said Bills and petitions were sent down to the House
by the Honourable Col^o George Robotham Col^o Charles
Hutchins and Col^o Addison
Brought from the House of Burgesses by Captain Hill
Captain Tasker M^r Boothby and M^r Lowe a certain Repre-
sentation made from the Committee of Aggrievances touch-
ing Securities taken for Masters of Ships &c
They signify also that the House have made strict Scrutiny
into the Accounts passed this Assembly and that they find the
same to be just and Good and that the same will be annexed
to the Law

The said Representation follows in these words viz^t

By the Committee of Agrievances May the 13^th 1696.

It is Complained of unto this Committee that manifest
Great decay of Trade in several parts of this province adjoyn-

21

p. 885