|
|
p. 66
|
Gentlemen
The first Rreason you are pleased to give in Your Message of the
9th Instant for not reviving the Act for Arms and Ammunition, is,
that the Money now in Bank amounting to £ 2250..11.. 2 Sterling and
£34: 13: 7 3/4 Current Gold has not been applyed to the Purposes for
which it was raised; But when you consider that at this Juncture a
considerable additional Supply of Arms and Ammunition is necessary
that that Sum in Bank cannot be supposed sufficient upon any sudden
necessity, and that it is not so easy and practicable to raise Money
upon an Emergency, as to apply and dispose of Money for the proper
Purposes on such Emergency, that Reason can be of little Weight ;
And it would be much more reasonable to object to Persons in-
trusted with the Management and Disposal of Money for Arms and
Ammunition, that they purchased such Arms & Ammunition so long
before immediate Emergency required, that such Arms & Ammu-
nition were spoiled, than that they faithfully kept that money in
Bank in order to lay it out, when the sudden Circumstances of the
Province absolutely required it, and a Greater Use and Benefit might
arise therefrom to the Province.
The next thing You mention is a Sum of £2500 Sterling unac-
counted for in any Manner; this carrys the Appearance of so
heinous a Charge not only against the Governor but Our selves,
that We are obliged to call upon you in the most publick Manner
to particularize the Treasurers Account upon which such a Deficiency
arises, and when it happened; As for Our Parts We are so far from
being conscious of any such Misapplication or Fraud in the Dis-
posal of the Publick Money committed to Our Trust, that We are
not unwilling or afraid to have Our Conduct examined in the
strictest Manner, and therefore with Justice we expect you will
set this Matter in a proper Light: It is very true, there were formerly
Insinuations of some Misapplications to have been made of the
money on this Fund above Eighteen Years ago; but it is equally true
that former Assemblies were upon Enquiry very well satisfied in
their Doubts on this Head, and of this Truth some of the Members
now in Your House (if We are not very much misinform'd) can
give undoubted Testimony: And further the Accounts relating to
this Fund were always from time to time laid before and past the
Examination and Approbation of Both Houses
As to the £2200 Suggested by you to be possessed by His Lord-
ship without any Law to levy the. same, We can with the greatest
Truth assure You, We neither know or believe any such thing, or
that any Money intended to supply the Magazine with Arms and
|
|
