by the late House of Assembly, or the Colonial or Continental Currency, which hath been or shall be hereafter issued.

Both read twice in the Legislative Council.

Captain Simons reported that he, with Mr. McDonald, had delivered the Ordinance they had in charge to the Legislative Council.

A Bill to punish such as shall counterfeit, or utter knowing them to be counterfeit, the Certificates issued by the late Houses of Assembly, or the Colonial or Continental Currency, which hath been or shall be hereafter issued, was read a third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass; and that the title be, An Act to punish such as shall counterfeit, or utter knowing them to be counterfeit, the Certificates issued by the late Houses of Assembly, or the Colonial or Continental Currency, which hath been or shall be hereafter issued.

Ordered, That Captain Trapier and Captain Leger do carry the said Act to the Legislative Council for their concurrence.

The Clerk of the Legislative Council brought from that House an Ordinance to repeal an Ordinance of the General Assembly, passed the 23d day of February, 1771, appointing Henry Peronneau and Benjamin Dart, Esquires, joint Publick Treasurers; and to appoint Commissioners to take a state of the Treasury; and, also, to empower the said Commissioners to settle the Accounts of the late Powder Receiver; read a third time and passed in the Legislative Council.

Ordered, That the said Ordinance be engrossed.

Captain Trapier reported that he, with Captain Leger, had delivered the Bill they had in charge to the Legislative Council.

A Bill for the more effectual prevention of the Desertion of the Soldiers and Sailors in the service of this Colony, and for the punishment of those who shall harbour or conceal them, or who shall purchase, receive, or conceal the Arms, Clothes, or Accoutrements of Deserters, was read a third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass; and that the title be, An Act for the more effectual prevention of the Desertion of the Soldiers and Sailors in the service of this Colony, and for the punishment of those who shall harbour or conceal them, or who shall purchase, receive, or conceal the Arms, Clothes, or Accoutrements of Deserters.

Ordered, That the Bill be sent to the Legislative Council for their concurrence; and that Captain Harlston and Mr. Loocock do carry the same.

A Bill to empower the Court of Admiralty to have jurisdiction in all cases of capture of Ships or Vessels of the inhabitants of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British West-Indies, and to establish the trial by Jury in such cases, was read a second time.

Ordered, That the Bill be sent to the Legislative Council.

On motion, Resolved, That the Members of this House do punctually attend the service thereof at the hour of adjournment, to-morrow, under a fine of five Pounds.

And then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine of the clock.

Saturday, April 6, 1776.

The House met according to adjournment.

On motion, Resolved, That the House will make suitable provision for a Secretary, and other necessary officers, to the honourable the Privy Council.

On motion, Resolved, That this House will make provision for the pay of a Clerk to the Commissary of Stores for Regular Forces, not exceeding five hundred Pounds currency.

Captain Harlston reported that he, with Mr. Loocock, had delivered the Bills they had in charge to the Legislative Council.

On motion, Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Treasury be, and they are hereby, authorized to pay to Mrs. Sarah Stuart, during the time that she may be restrained of her liberty, the sum of one hundred Pounds, currency, per month, for her maintenance; and that the same shall be reimbursed out of the profits of Mr. John Stuart’s estate, by the Committees in whose custody and possession, or charge, the same now is.

On motion, Whereas the honourable the Continental Congress hath resolved that, in the present situation of affairs, it will be very dangerous to the liberties and welfare of America if any Colony should separately petition the King or either House of Parliament: and whereas no step should be left unessayed to promote the general welfare: and whereas the sending Commissioners from Great Britain to treat with the different Colonies, is dangerous to the stability of the liberties of America:

Therefore Resolved, That it is the opinion of this House, that no measures should be left unessayed to establish the liberties of America, and to place them, as far as may be, out of the reach of fraudulent schemers, to subvert them by negotiation; and that this Colony should not enter into any treaty or correspondence with the Court of Great Britain, or with any person or persons under that authority, but through the medium of the Continental Congress.

Resolved, also, That it is the opinion of this House that if any person or persons, sent from Great Britain to treat with the several Colonies, shall arrive in this Colony by water, such person or persons, and their retinue or company, should not, upon any pretence, be allowed to land, or to remain in the Colony longer than forty-eight hours, wind and weather permitting; or while so remaining, to hold any communication with any person in this Colony, but through his Excellency the President; and if any such persons shall arrive by land, they should be forthwith carefully escorted out of the Colony, and not be permitted to hold any intercourse with persons not for that purpose authorized by the President, and that merely for the purpose of accommodation.

Ordered, That the foregoing Resolutions be forthwith printed and made publick.

Ordered, That a Message be sent to the President, with a copy of the said Resolutions, requesting that copies thereof may be forwarded to Georgia, North-Carolina, Virginia, and the Continental Congress.

The following Message was accordingly drawn and agreed to by the House:

May it please your Excellency:

In the present conjunction of affairs, this House has thought it expedient to come to the resolutions, a copy whereof is herewith sent to your Excellency; and we request that you will be pleased to forward copies of them to Georgia, North-Carolina, Virginia, and the Continental Congress.

Ordered, That the Message be engrossed, and that Mr. Speaker do sign the same.

Ordered, That Captain Trapier and Captain Roger Smith do wait on his Excellency therewith.

The Clerk of the Legislative Council brought from that House a Bill to punish those who shall counterfeit, or utter knowing them to be counterfeit, the Certificates issued by the late Houses of Assembly, or the Continental or Colonial Currency which hath been or shall be hereafter issued, read the third time and passed in the said Council.

Also, a Bill for the more effectual prevention of the desertion of the Soldiers and Sailors in the service of this Colony, and for the punishment of those who shall purchase, receive, or conceal the Arms, Clothes, or Accoutrements of Deserters; also read a third time and passed in the Legislative Council.

Ordered, That the said Bills be engrossed.

The Clerk of the Legislative Council likewise brought from that House a Bill to increase the number of Firemasters, and to empower any three of them to pull down any such Houses, or other Buildings, as they shall adjudge necessary for the stopping and preventing the spreading of Fire; read a second time in the Legislative Council.

Captain Moultrie, according to order, presented a Bill to revive and continue, for the time therein mentioned, the several Acts and clauses of Acts of the General Assembly, therein particularly mentioned.

And the same was received and read a first time.

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time.

A Bill to increase the number of Firemasters in Charlestown