entire and distinct regiment of light horse; and shall be distinguished and called by the name of the second regiment.

That the troops of horse in the fourth, ninth, and sixteenth regiments of militia, be, and they are hereby declared to be one entire and distinct regiment of light horse; and shall be distinguished and called by the name of the third regiment.

That the troops of horse in the fifth, eleventh, nineteenth, twenty-first, and twenty.second regiments of militia, be, and they are hereby declared to be one entire and distinct regiment of light horse; and shall be distinguished and called by the name of the fourth regiment.

That the troops of horse in the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth regiments of militia, be, and they are hereby declared to be one entire and distinct regiment of light horse; and shall be distinguished and called by the name of the fifth regiment.

That there shall be only one colonel and one lieutenant colonel to command the whole, and one major in each of said regiments, from time to time appointed by the General Assembly, who shall be commissioned by the Governor of this colony for the time being. And the said colonel, lieutenant colonel, and the majors of each of said regiments, shall be subject to the command of the general or commander.in chief of the militia for the time being, and shall have the same duty, powers, and authority, as the officers of the same rank in the regiments of militia already by law have. And said regiments of light horse shall be liable to such regimental duty as the regiments of militia are already by law liable.

And be it further enacted, that every trooper, already enlisted in any troop of light horse in this colony, shall equip himself with arms and accoutrements, according to law, within three months next after the rising of this Assembly: And that every person that shall hereafter enlist into any of said troops of light horse, shall, within six months next after his enlistment, equip and accoutre himself as aforesaid; and in default thereof, such trooper or troopers shall be reduced to the foot company or companies, within the limits of which they inhabit, and be liable to do duty in the same, as he or they were before they enlisted into such troop, as aforesaid; any law or usage to the contrary not. withstanding.

Also an act as follows, viz.: Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that whensoever any soldier or soldiers, belonging to any of the regiments in this colony, shall refuse to muster and march, according to orders given him by his commanding officer, for the purposes mentioned in said act; such soldier, so refusing, shall suffer the penalty of pounds lawful money, for the use of the colony; any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.

The act establishing naval officers and governing the same, is as follows, viz.: Be it enacted by the Govornor, Council, and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by authority of the same, that the Governor for the time being shall be naval officer in this colony.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that there shall be kept at the port of New London one naval office, at the port of New Haven one other naval office, at the port of Middletown one other naval office, and at the port of Norwalk one other naval office: and that the Governor for the time

being depute some proper person at each of said ports as naval officers, and take bond, with sufficient surety, in the sum of one thousand pounds, for the faithful discharge of their duty therein, to enter and clear out vessels and their cargoes, and to do and act therein in such way and manner, and according to such rules and orders, as to such their offices respectively appertain.

Whereas it is recommended by the Honorable Continental Congress to the several Legislatures in the united colonies, as soon as possible, to erect courts of justice, or give jurisdiction to the courts now in being, for the purpose of determining concerning captures, &c., and to provide that all trials in such case, be had by a jury, under such qualifications as to the respective Legislatures shall seem expedient.

Be it therefore enacted by the Governor, Council, and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the respective county courts in this colony be, and they are hereby authorized, empowered, constituted and appointed to try, judge, and determine, by jury or otherwise, as in other cases, concerning all captures that have or shall be taken and brought into said respective counties: and that the civil law, the laws of nations, and the resolutions of Congress, be the rule of their adjudications, determinations, and proceedings therein. And said respective county courts are hereby author. ized and empowered to constitute and appoint such proper officers under them, as they shall find necessary and expedient for the purposes aforesaid.

Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that appeals be allowed to the Continental Congress, under the restrictions, and agreeable to the direc. tions and resolves of said Congress. And that the fees for said court, and the respective officers thereof, be reasonable, and such as are customary in the neighboring colonies, or may be established by said Congress, or by this Assem. bly. And the judge of said respective county courts is hereby authorized to call said court, for said purpose, at any place within the respective counties, as shall be most convenient and expedient.

An act for the more efectually carrying into execution several acts relative to making salt petre and gun powder was passed, as follows, viz..

Whereas by an act of this Assembly, in May, 1775, there was a premium of four shillings on the pound granted for all salt petre made in this colony, before the first day of June, 1776; and in December, 1775, a bounty or premium of two shillings on the pound for all salt petre manufactured in this colony, from and after the first day of June, 1776, and before the first day of January, 1777 ; and that inspectors should be appointed to view and inspect the same, and administer an oath and certify as therein directed; and purchase and receive the same for the use of the colony; and by a further act, in the same sessions, it was resolved, that the selectmen in cach town, within this colony, shall be the inspectors of salt petre, with all the powers and authorities by said acts given to inspectors of salt petre, &c. But no time being mentioned in said acts for delivering the salt petre to the inspectors, nor price affixed for the purchase ; and sundry other regulations being necessary to carry the aforesaid acts into execution, Be it therefore enacted, by the Governor, Council, and Representa. tives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that for all the salt petre made in this colony, before the first day of June, 1776, on which the premium of four shillings on the pound is claimed, shall be delivered for

inspection, to the selectmen, authorized and empowered to inspect the same, or be by them inspected, within fifteen days at farthest, after the last day of May, instant; and that after the first day of June, the manufacturers producing the same for inspection, shall make oath before the inspector or inspectors, that the said nitre or salt petre produced as aforesaid, was made and manufactured before the first day of June, otherwise it shall be considered as made after; and that all the salt petre made as aforesaid, after the last day of May, and before the first day of January next, in order to be entitled to the premium of two shillings on the pound, shall be treated and conducted in the same manner, having respect to the first day of January, as before, to the first day of June; and that upon the whole it shall be the duty of the inspector or inspectors, carefully to see that all the salt petre offered or delivered to them for inspection, be pure, clean, and dry, and free from any corrupt mixture, before they give any certificate of the same, and on the same being so found, shall give a certificate thereof, with the other requisites, before either the premium or purchase money shall be paid therefor, and the salt petre produced to the inspectors as aforesaid, shall be delivered in casks or other packages proper and sufficient for transportation to the powder works, with the maker's name and the name of the town wherein made, fairly marked thereon.

And be it further enacted, that for all the salt petre made and manufactured in this colony, before the first day of January next, inspected and found to be pure, clean, dry and unmixed, and fit for use, according to law, and so delivered to the inspector or inspectors, in proper packages, marked as aforesaid, for the use of this colony, shall be paid therefor, out of the colony treasury, the sum of three shillings per pound, for every pound, only deducting therefrom one halfpenny on each pound delivered as aforesaid, as a general estimate on the whole, for transportation to the respective powder mills, erected and allowed in this colony, and for other charges attending the same. Provided nevertheless, that all persons who have made and manufactured salt petre, and have already procured the same to be inspected, and delivered to the inspector for the use of this colony, shall be entitled to receive the price aforesaid therefor, notwithstanding the same may not be put up in casks or packages marked as aforesaid.

And it is further enacted, that the several inspectors convey and deliver, with all convenient despatch, all the salt petre by them received as aforesaid, to the owner or owners of the several powder mills in this colony, assigned by the Governor and Committee of Safety for the time being, to receive the same, taking his or their receipt therefor, and the same transmit and lodge with the committee of pay table. And the inspector or inspectors performing their duty, as aforesaid, shall be entitled to a reasonable allowance for his or their trouble and services, as aforesaid, to be adjusted by the committee of pay table, who shall order payment of the same accordingly.

And to the intent that all frauds, and impure or corrupt mixtures may be detected, and the persons concerned therein be duly punished:

Be it enacted, that the inspector or inspectors delivering, as also the owner, owners, or overseers of the powder mills, receiving the salt petre as aforesaid, shall make and keep a true, just, and fair entry, of all the salt petre delivered and received as aforesaid, and of the names of the makers thereof. And whoever shall be found guilty, and be convicted of any fraudulent and impure

mixture, in the salt petre by them made and delivered for inspection as aforesaid, shall forfeit to the Treasurer of this colony, the value of the premium and pay, granted and allowed on the salt petre in which such mixture shall be found.

And the owner or owners of the several powder mills, shall well, truly, and faithfully make up, or cause to be made, all the salt petre delivered to them as aforesaid, into good, merchantable powder, well dried, fit for use, and find all the other materials necessary therefor, and the same put up in good, tight, sizable casks, which shall contain either one hundred, one half, or one quarter hundred weight of powder each, marked with the just and true weight of the cask, and also with the initial letters of the maker's name, and the same deliver to the Governor and Committee of Safety of this colony, or to their order, for the use of this colony; and shall receive therefor, out of the colony treasury, at the rate of nine dollars per hundred, for every hundred weight of good, merchantable powder, made and delivered as aforesaid, upon a certificate thereof, had and obtained of the Governor, or Governor and Committee of Safety, produced to the committee of pay table of this colony.

Be it further enacted, that the Governor and Committee of Safety, for the time being, from time to time, order, and give directions for the disposition of all their powder, made at the several powder mills within this colony, and, if need be, erect convenient houses for the reception of the same, in such places as they think proper.

The article of salt being of great importance, and obtaining it by importation difficult, uncertain, and dangerous; the Legislature, to encourage the manufacture of salt in the colony, offered a premium of £100, to be paid out of the public treasury of the colony, to the person or persons, who should erect proper works and vats for manufacturing salt in the colony, and make the first five hundred bushels of good merchantable salt; and the sum of £80 to the person who should erect works, &c., and manufacture the second five hundred bushels of salt; and the sum of £60 for the manufacture of the third quantity of five hundred bushels of common salt; and the sum of £40 to the fourth person who should manufacture five hundred bushels as aforesaid. Provided that said salt should be made, and a certificate under oath should be produced by or before the first day of October, 1777.

An act for raising and equipping a body of minute men, to be held in readiness for the better defence of the colony; and for repealing an act for the same purpose, enacted December, 1775. The Legislature, finding that the American colonies were threatened with immediate ministerial power, and great exertions were making to reduce the colonies to obedience and bondage by their own and foreign additional troops, which at the time were daily expected to invade the colonies; it was deemed of great importance for the safety and salvation of this country, that the inhabitants should be put in the best situation possible for selfdefence:It was therefore ordered, that one-third part of the 2d, 3d, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 20th regiments; and one-fourth part of the other regiments of militia, or a number equal thereto, should be forthwith enlisted, or detailed from the limits of the several regiments in the colony, to be held in readiness for the defence of this or any of the adjoining colonies. And that it should be immediately effected; the colonels or chief officers of the regiments, were directed forthwith to order the chief officer of each company in their regiments to con vene their companies, (and all others within the limits of said companies who

were obliged to keep arms, and under 55 and over 16 years of age,) then to enlist out of any of them the number aforesaid. But if a sufficient number should not voluntarily enlist, the captain, with the advice and assistance of the other commissioned officers, were directed to detach and impress out of said companies to make the complement required; and those detached to perform like duties with those who should enlist, on a penalty of £10 for refusing; and the captains, &c. were to make immediate returns to their respective colonels.The field officers were then ordered to form said men into companies of about sixty-eight rank and file; and with the advice of the captains and commissioned officers of said companies, nominate officers for said new companies, viz: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, and 1 ensign, out of such as had or did then hold commissions of equal rank, and return a muster roll, and their doings to the Governor, who was authorized to commission said officers. The Governor and Committee of Safety was then authorized to form said companies into regiments, and place them under field militia officers, to take the command of the new troops, as he should think proper. And said officers and soldiers were ordered to equip themselves to the acceptance of the captains, and the same hold in constant readiness for service; for which it was provided they should receive a premium of 40 shillings each. The captain of each company was ordered to procure a drum and fife, to be paid for by the colony; all which it was made the duty of the captains and commissioned officers to see performed-furnished with arms and equipped; and if any soldier was found deficient in arms, and arms could not be obtained, they were ordered to impress them, by a warrant for that purpose, by the civil authority; for which deficiency, said soldier was to lose half his premium, which was to be paid for the use of impressed arms, &c. Officers and minute men to be allowed for necessary time to meet for exercise, at the rate before allowed in like cases. And said officers and soldiers were to hold themselves in constant readiness to march at the shortest notice, by order of the Captain General, or other superior officers; and when in actual service, to receive the same wages and billeting as other troops before raised in the colony. Also to be exempt from duty in other military companies. To be held in service not exceeding one year after the 1st day of June, 1776, then to be disbanded. (This act not to be extended to include the twenty-fourth regiment.)

It was also enacted, that the third part of the 3d, 8th, and 20th regiments, and a fourth part of the militia in the 1st regiment, and the remainder on the east side of Connecticut river, then lately ordered by the Governor and Committee of Safety to be drafted, equipped, and held in readiness according to order.The act raising minute men, passed December 1, 1775, was repealed by this act, and made void. And such men as were raised under said repealed act, were made minute men under this act. And those minute men raised under this act, not to be continued in service more than three months at one time, before relieved, or permitted to return home. No premium was to be paid to either officer or soldier until completely equipped; directing such, (if any) who had received a premium and not equipped, the premium to be deducted from his wages.

An act for raising a battalion or regiment of troops to march to Boston, or elsewhere, (in pursuance of a requisition, then made by the Continental Congress, for the defence of the united colonies,) was passed; in which it was provided, that the first regiment or battalion of troops should be forthwith raised in the colony, by voluntary enlistment, for the defence of the colonies; to consist