Regulations respecting persons who are disarmed on account of their inimical principles

v5:1504

In Provincial Congress, May 11, 1776.

Whereas the Provincial Congress of this Colony did, on the 22d day of August last past, pass several resolves for regulating and putting the Militia of this Province in a state of defence against the arbitrary usurpations of the British, Parliament: And whereas this Congress did, on the — day — last, pass sundry resolves, as an appendix, to the former; yet, through the inimical and unfriendly disposition of many persons in this Province this Congress have found it absolutely necessary, not only for the safety of the aid Province, but of the United Colonies in general, to take away the arms and accoutrements of the most dangerous among them; and as common justice requires that, in defending our rights and liberties, every individual should bear a proportional part of the burden and expense:

Resolved therefore, That every male inhabitant within this Colony above sixteen and under fifty years of age, who have been or may hereafter be disarmedon account of their inimical principles, and are thereby disabled from complying with the aforesaid resolves, do pay unto the Captain or Commanding Officer of the day, of the District or Beat wherein he shall dwell or reside, the sum of five Shillings for every day the said Company shall be mustered or called on duty, and not under pay; and on such disarmed person or persons as aforesaid neglecting or refusing to pay the aforesaid sum of five Shillings, within ten days after such muster or duty, the said Captain or other Commanding Officer of the day is hereby empowered and required to issue his warrant for the recovery thereof, in the same manner as directed by the before recited resolves, and the moneys so arising to be applied by the Captain towards arming such persons within said District or Beat as have associated in defence of their country, and are not able to purchase arms for that purpose; and render an account to the Field-Officers of the Regiment to which he belongs, of all the moneys by him received, and to what use applied; and, also, deliver the said arms and accoutrements so purchased to the said Field-Officers, or one of them, when thereunto required, in order to be secured or deposited for the use of the said Regiment.