The Lower House. 303

On Reading and Considering his Excellency's Message of the
19th of November, and a Copy of the Earl of Loudoun's Letter,
communicated to Mr. Speaker therewith : Ordered, That Col. Tilgh-
man and Mr. Dorsey do prepare and bring in an Address to his
Excellency, in Answer to the Matters contained in the said Message
and Letter.
Col. Tilghman brings in and delivers to Mr. Speaker, the follow-
ing Report, viz.^t
By the Committee appointed to Enquire into the Disbursement of
the Monies raised by several Acts of Assembly, for maintaining the
Forces to Guard the Western Frontier of this Province, and into

L.H.J.
Liber No. 49
Dec. 3

the State and Condition of Fort Frederick, and into the Conduct
and Behaviour of the Officers and Soldiers supported in the Pay
of this Province. 3^d December, 1757.
Your Committee beg Leave to lay before the Honourable House,
the Depositions of such Persons as it was thought might be able to
give Light into the Conduct and Behaviour of the Troops, which
have been raised and supported for the Quiet and Protection of the
Frontier Inhabitants of this Province; from which we are humbly
of Opinion it appears, that those Troops have been rather an Op-
pression than a Defence or Security to those unhappy People; and
your Committee are in some Measure confirmed in this Opinion, by
the Militia's being ordered out by his Excellency the Governor to
Range the Frontier Settlements, and thereby compelled to do that
Duty, which those Forces were raised and destined to perform; by
which Means double Expence has been brought upon this Province ;
and the People, at the same Time they pass others, are obliged to be
Ranging, to save the Lives of their distressed Neighbours.
Your Committee beg Leave further to observe, that it appears
from some of the said Depositions, that large Quantities of spiritu-
ous Liquors have been sold and retailed in and about Fort Frederick
for private Profit, without paying any Duty; and your Committee
are apprehensive it is too much practised elsewhere, thro' the Negli-
gence of the Collectors; by which Means, if not prevented, the Fund
intended to be raised by such retailing Liquors, will be considerably
lessened, and consequently the Landholders of this Province so much
the more burthened by the additional Tax, which, by Law, must fall
on them; but submit the Whole to the Consideration of the Honour-
able House.

Signed p Order, William Wilkins, Clerk.

Which was Read, and the House concurs therewith.
On Reading his Excellency's Message of the 1st of December
Instant : Ordered, That Col. Tilghman and Mr. Dorsey do prepare
and bring in an Address to his Excellency, in Answer to the said
Message.

p. 122