Assembly Proceedings June 29-July 22, 1699. 565

And to the Intent that Whensoever it shall appear to the
Chief Governor of this Province for the time being or his
Councill to be necessary to raise forces for the Suppressing of
any forreigne Invasion or Domestick Insurrection or Rebellion
or any Warr w^th any Indians that the said Officers and Soldiers
may be duly Paid According to the Proportions aforesaid and
all other Charges and Expences for the Charge and Manage-
ment of Such Warr may be duly paid and discharged without
which this Province Cannot be deffended and Secured Be it
Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that from henceforth all
Such necessary Charges of Such Warr and Soldierpay as
aforesaid shall be paid Discharged and defrayed by a Publick
Leavy by an Equall Assessment upon the Taxables of this
Province by the Consent of the ffreemen of this Province by
their Representatives in a Generall Assembly and not other-
wise whatsoever And to the Intent that the Inhabitants of this
Province may not be abused by haveing theire Goods and
Provisions prest by loose and Idle fellows who many times
abuse their Comissions and the People. Be it further Enacted
by the Authority aforesaid That from henceforth the Comis-

Lib. L. L.

sioners of Each respective County shall Yearly and every
Year Viz. between the Twenty-ninth day of September and
the Twenty-fifth day of December nominate and appoint two
honest and Substantiall men of their Countys to be press
Masters for the Year Ensueing and if any one Dye or Depart
the Country or be lame or sick within that time that then the
next Justice of the peace to Nominate and Appointe another
in his Stead that if Occasion require they and noe other shall
Impress Victualls and other things given them in Charge to
be pressed by Warrant from his Excellency the Governor in
Chief for the time being and if any other but press masters so
appointed shall presume upon pretence of any power as a
Press master to Seize take press Carry Away any Goods or
Comoditys of any the Inhabitants of this Province shall Pay
to the Person grieved Treble the Value of the Goods or
Comoditys so as aforesaid unjustly pressed Provided that
no press Master or any other persons whatsoever Shall pre-
sume att any time to Seize press or Carry away from the
Inhabitants Residents in this Province any Arms or Amunition
of any kind whatsoever upon any Duty or Service or upon
any Account w^tsoever under the Penalty aforesaid any Law
Statute or usage to the Contrary hereof in any wise Notwith-
standing And Be it further Enacted by the Authority afore-
said that the Comissioners of any County Court within this Prov-
ince who shall not between the 27^th day of September and the
said 25^th day of December in each respective Year by precept
from the County Court Signed by the Clk of the Court Nomi-

p.347