The Lower House. 179

relating to the Manumission of Negroes or Molattoe Slaves
we think its hard to restrain any Master or Owner to set free
a well deserving Negroe or Molattoe Slave, for Probity in such
Persons is by that Means discouraged no Master or Owner
being at Liberty otherwise to recompence the good Actions
of a well deserving Slave therefore we cannot agree to that
Clause but lest any Prejudice may happen by such Manumis-
sion we are willing to add a Clause imposing a Fine of a
thousand Pounds of Tobacco on all free Negroes and Molattoes
that shall entertain or harbour any Servant or Slave for every
Night or twenty four Hours to be recovered by Bill Plaint
&ta one half thereof to the King &ta for the Use of the Free
Schools of this Province; and the other half to the Use of the
Party grieved and if such offending free Molattoe or Negro
has not Estate sufficient immediately to satisfy such Penalty
he shall be sold for and towards satisfying the same as afore-
said by the Justices of the respective County Courts that hear
and determine the said Bill &ta And also another Clause
imposing a Fine of five thousand Pounds of Tobacco on any
Minister, Magistrate or other Person or Persons whatsoever
that shall marry any Negroe whether bound or free or any
Molattoe Slave to any white Person the said Fine to be
recovered as aforesaid and to be to the Use of the Free
Schools to which we pray your Honours Concurrence
Signed p Order Tho" Macnemara Clk. Ho. Del.

The Indorsement from the Council on the Back of the Bill
relating to the ordering and regulating the Militia brought
down in the Morning by Col^o Addison being considered and
debated the following is returned in Answer thereto Viz.

By the House of Delegates
May the 24th 1715

May it please your Honours,
On Reading and debating your Indorsement on this Bill as
to that Part that proposes a Clause to impose a Fine on Per-
sons that refuse to accept of Military Commissions from the
Governor or Commander in Chief of this Province for the
Time being we are unwilling to agree to such a Clause few
psons being to be found or instanced that refused the same
at any Time heretofore; but as to that Part that proposes a
Fine to be imposed on any coffin Officer that shall refuse or
neglect to appear at any Muster or Training unless his Excuse
be admitted by the Field Officers, we are willing to agree to
a Clause to lay a Fine on every Captain, Lieutenant Cornet
and Ensign so refusing or neglecting to appear, two hundred

L. H. J.

p. 557