Assembly Proceedings, Mar. 8, 1697/8-Apr. 4, 1698. 37

March 26^th 1698.

The Councill again Sate and were p^rsent as Yesterday The
hono^ble Tho: Tench & James ffrisby Esq^rs and sent downe to
the house w^th the Bills Yesterday read and Answer to Sev^ll of
the Messages, as also Remarks upon the resolues of the house
brought the 24^th Instant they returne and say they did their
Message. Came from the house of Delegates M^r Hutchinson
& M^r Sanders who Signifie that the house had Appointed
Some of their Memb^rs to Joyne in Conferrence with Some of
his Maj^ties most hono^ble Councill ab^t the Ordinary keepers &
securing Letters &^c who are told, that if the house will send
up those members care will be taken ;
Came up Accordingly from the house Maj^r Hamond M^r
Sanders, M^r Wilmer, M^r Elisha Hall, and M^r Benjaⁿ Hall, M^r
George Ashman, M^r Sam^ll Collins & M^r William Hutchison,
to whom his Maj^ties hono^ble Councill being by Ord^r Joyned,
they proceed to consider of the s^d two particulars.
It is concluded and agreed to be Absolutly necessary that
Inns or Publique houses of Entertain^mt should be kept at all
ports, Courte houses and upon the Roads.
It is thought th^t the p^rsent Act of Assembly for regulating
Ordinaryes w^ch was here produced & read provided very Suffi-
tiently and ought to be punctually Observed by all those that
keep Inns at the Court houses and ports, but for Encourage-
ment of such as will keep Publique houses upon the Roads, it
is thought that their keeping four Spare bedds and provi-
sions for Six horses will be Suffitient, & that they may be
permitted to keepe such Houses, paying only, to his Maj^ties
Secretary the Summe

Original
Journal.
p. 54

The Sum of 400£ of Tob. yearly for their Lycence and that
a Supplementary Act be provided therefore but that they lye
und^r the same Restrictions, as other In holders except before
excepted, that the Justices granting such Lycence take Care
that bond of 20£ be given by the Inholder, that they keep not
free men or loose persons tipling att their houses, as is fre-
quent in the Country of the Matter of securing lett^rs brought
in by Mast^rs of Ships &^c is taken into consid^ration.
It is Concluded and agreed that no bett^r Exped^t can be
found for secureing fforraigne Letters as the present Constitu-
tion of the Country now stands Then by desireing his Ex^cy
would be pleased to issue out his proclamation Strictly pro-
hibitting all psons w^tsoever from receiveing or takeing any L^rs
from any Ma^rs of Ships but w^tt they shall pass a Receipt for
and oblidge themselves to Care for delivery thereof according
to directions und^r severe penalty of punishm^t of such person
as shall be discovered to haue Embezelled, concealed, or kept

p.55