62. Proceedings of a Colonial Legislature (1723)
BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE
PLANTATIONS
This brief extract illustrates the variety of colonial business. — Bibliography: Charming and Hart, Guide, § 147. See also Contemporaries, I, Nos. 65, 104, 121, 131, 1 60, and below, Nos. 180, 187.
Richard Ward, recorder.
Col. William Wanton, speaker.
An Act for the better securing the pirates, now in His Majesty's jail, in Newport.
Forasmuch as there are thirty pirates brought into this harbor, by Capt. Solegarr, commander of His Majesty's ship the Grey Hound, and now in His Majesty's jail, in Newport, and it being suspected that they may endeavor to escape from thence, unless they are watched and guarded by night ; —
For the preventing of which, be it enacted by the General Assembly, and by the authority of the same it is enacted, that the field officers of the regiment of the militia on the islands, shall, and they are hereby empowered to order and set a military watch of such and so many men as they shall deem needful and necessary, to secure the said pirates from making their escape if attempted, and to set such penalties on default of not watching, as to them shall seem needful ; and that the charge of the watch be paid out of the general treasury ; any former law, custom or usage to the contrary hereof, in any wise notwithstanding.
Voted, that ₤100, be remitted out of the general treasury, to our agent in Great Britain, for the service of the colony ; and Col. Wm. Coddington and the general treasurer procure bills of exchange or silver, to that value, and deliver it to the Governor, who is to send it to our agent.
Voted, that the ₤123, odd money, in the hands of Mr. Robert Gardner, late naval officer, be paid by him to Capt. Simon Ray, to and for the use of New Shoreham, to assist them in rebuilding their pier, they building it in two years time.
Voted, that the sum of ₤642 12s. 1d., of torn ragged bills in the treasury, be burnt in the presence of this Assembly ; and it was burnt accordingly.
