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may be appointed to prosecute the claim of this Commonwealth to certain lands mentioned and described in the petition of the General Court, of the twenty-seventh day of May last, respectively, with authentic copies of such records and papers as they shall think necessary in the prosecution of their agency. And the Secretary is also directed to transmit to the Secretary of Congress, a certificate that this legislature hath received the act of Congress, of the third day of June current, on their petition aforesaid.

Resolved, That there be allowed and paid out of the public treasury, to the said agents, the sum of Five hundred pounds, they to be accountable for the expenditure thereof in the prosecution of their said agency.

July 1, 1784.

Chapter 54.

RESOLVE ESTABLISHING THE PAY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE Chap. 54

GENERAL COURT.

Resolved, That there be paid out of the treasury of this Commonwealth, the sum of eight shillings to each member of the Hon. Council, and the sum of seven shillings and six pence, to each member of the Honorable Senate, and the sum of seven shillings to each member of the House of Representatives, for each day they have attended the Council or General Court, the present session, also the further sum of one day's pay for every ten miles distance each member lives from this place. July 1, 1784.

Chapter 55.

RESOLVE CONSTITUTING THE DELEGATES WHO SHALL ACTU- Chap. 55

ALLY REPRESENT THIS COMMONWEALTH IN CONGRESS, ON
THE FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER NEXT, LAWFUL AGENTS OF
THIS STATE, WITH SUCH AGENTS AS SHALL BE APPOINTED
IN BEHALF OF NEW YORK, TO DETERMINE THE CLAIMS TO
LANDS WEST OF HUDSON'S RIVER.

Whereas the legislature of this Commonwealth, by their petition to Congress on the twenty-seventh day of May, 1784, last past, alledged that certain lands to which the State of New York set up a claim, was the just and proper right of this Commonwealth, and Congress having given notice thereof to the said State and appointed the first

Monday of December next, to proceed in the premises as by the articles of confederation and perpetual union is directed: Resolved, That the delegates who shall actually represent this Commonwealth in Congress on the first day of December next, or the major part of them, are hereby constituted the lawful agents of this State, and are authorized and empowered, with such agent or agents as may be empowered therefor on the part and behalf of the State of New York, to appoint by joint consent, Commissioners or Judges to constitute a Court for hearing and determining the claims of the same State and of this Commonwealth to the lands mentioned and described in the petition aforesaid; and in case the said State of New York shall neglect to attend by their agent or agents, at the said time appointed therefor by Congress; or if attending, the agent or agents of the said State and the said delegates hereby appointed the agents of this Commonwealth, cannot agree to appoint by joint consent Commissioners or Judges for the purpose aforesaid, then the said delegates, or the major part of them, are hereby authorized and empowered, on the part of this Commonwealth, to do and transact all matters and things whatsoever by the said articles of confederation and perpetual union necessary to be done and transacted, to the appointment of Commissioners and Judges for the purpose aforesaid.

Resolved, That there shall be appointed by joint ballot of the two Houses, three gentlemen, the duty and business of whom, or any two of them, it shall be, carefully to collect the evidence of the title of this Commonwealth to the lands mentioned and described in their petition to Congress, to part of which the State of New York have set up a claim, to appear before any Commissioners or Judges who may be appointed a Court to determine on the claim of the said State and of this Commonwealth, to the land aforesaid, and to prosecute the suit by the said petition instituted, to a final determination.

Chapter 56.

July 2, 1784.

Chap. 56 RESOLVE ON THE PETITION OF ORANDO SEARJEANT, IN BE

HALF OF THE TOWN OF ALMSBURY, ABATING THE FINE
LAID ON THE SAID TOWN.

On the petition of Orando Searjeant in behalf of the town of Almsbury, praying that the fine of Forty-six

pounds, fourteen shillings and two pence, laid on the said town for not sending a representative the last year, may be abated, for reasons set forth in the said petition:

Resolved, That the prayer of the said petition be so far granted, as that the town of Almsbury be abated the sum of Twenty-three pounds, seven shillings and one penny of the said fine; and the Treasurer of this Commonwealth is hereby directed and empowered to credit the said town in the last State tax accordingly. July 2, 1784.

Chapter 57.

RESOLVE APPOINTING ebenezer BRIDGE AND NATHAN DANE, Chap. 57

ESQ'RS; COMMISSIONERS TO SETTLE THE BOUNDARIES OF
LANDS AND POSSESSIONS, BEGINNING AT THE HEAD OF THE
TIDE ON PENOBSCOT RIVER; AND TO CONFER WITH THE
INDIANS RELATIVE TO THE RELINQUISHMENT OF ANY
CLAIMS, &c.

Whereas the Provincial Congress, of the then Province, now Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the twenty first of June, 1775, on application made to them by the Indians of the Penobscot tribe, did (as will appear by the records of the said Provincial Congress) strictly forbid any person or persons whatsoever, from trespassing or making waste upon any of the lands and territories or possessions, beginning at the head of the tide on Penobscot River, extending six miles on each side of the said River, then claimed by the said Indians: and whereas the boundaries of the lands and possessions claimed by them are uncertain; and it being expedient that the extent of the said lands should be ascertained, and that a quantity of lands proportioned to the number of the said Indians should be confirmed to them:

It is therefore Resolved, That Ebenezer Bridge and Nathan Dane, Esq'rs. be, and they are, hereby appointed commissioners, with full power to treat with the said Indians on the subject beforementioned, to settle the boundaries of such lands as shall be agreed upon to be confirmed to them, and to confer with the said Indians relative to the relinquishment of any claims or privileges they may suppose themselves entitled to in any lands, by the doings of the said Provincial Congress, or otherwise; and to agree upon a consideration to be allowed them therefor; and the said commissioners are. hereby directed to proceed upon the aforesaid business as soon as may be, and to make report of their doings herein to the General Court, at their next session. July 2, 1784.

Chapter 58.

Chap. 58 RESOLVE DIRECTING CONFISCATED LANDS TO BE SOLD BY

AUCTION, FOR PUBLIC SECURITIES.

Whereas it appears that there are several parcels of land lying in the different counties in this Commonwealth, and confiscated to the use of this government, by retaining the property of which, no considerable rise of the same can be reasonably expected and the settlement of the same is thereby prevented: Therefore

Resolved, That the several committees for the sale of absentees estates within this Commonwealth, those of the counties of York, Cumberland and Lincoln only excepted, be, and they are, hereby authorized and directed, as soon as may be, to make sale at public auction of all the lands confiscated to the use of this Commonwealth, within their several districts, for the consolidated securities of this government, and pay the same as speedily as may be into the treasury of this Commonwealth. Provided always, that in all instances where the said estates have been duly certified as insolvent, that the said committees be, and they hereby are, directed to sell the same for gold and silver, or legal certificates of the distributive sum on any allowed claims, and in all instances where bonds were given by the former owners for titles, upon complying with the conditions of the same, or entries on the same were made, and cultivation thereof begun, previous to the confiscation thereof, the said committees are hereby directed to proceed with respect to the same in manner as provided by the act originally appointing the said committees; and the said committees are hereby enjoined to proceed on and compleat the business aforesaid, with all such dispatch as is consistent with the public interest, and to settle their accounts of the same with the committee for methodizing and stating the public. July 2, 1784.

accounts.

Chapter 59.

Chap. 59 RESOLVE ON THE PETITION OF NATHANIEL LEONARD, LATE

MUSTER MASTER IN THE COUNTY OF BRISTOL, DIRECTING
THE SHERIFF OF THE SAID COUNTY TO RECEIVE A CERTAIN
SUM OF MONEY IN CONTINENTAL BILLS, AND DISCHARGE
HIM FROM THE EXECUTION MENTIONED.

On the petition of Nathaniel Leonard, Esq; late Muster
Master for the county of Bristol, praying for relief respect-

ing an action commenced against him by the Treasurer, for a balance in his hands of the money he received to pay bounties:

Whereas it appears to this Court, that the said Leonard did offer the said balance to the Treasurer, agreeable to the orders of the General Court, as set forth in the said Leonard's declaration :

Therefore Resolved, That the Sheriff of the county of Bristol, be, and he is hereby directed, to receive of the said Nathaniel Leonard, the sum of Sixty-seven pounds, seventeen shillings and six pence, in consolidated securities of this government, and discharge him from the execution for the said sum, the said Leonard paying costs of suit and the Treasurer of this Commonwealth is hereby directed to receive the said consolidated securities. from the Sheriff aforesaid. July 2, 1784.

Chapter 60.

RESOLVE FOR COMMEMORATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF AMER- Chap. 60

ICAN INDEPENDENCE.

Whereas on the fourth day of July, A. D. 1776, the United States of America, were delivered from a low and humiliating dependence on a foreign power, and by the directing hand of Providence, assumed a station among the nations of the earth, and became a sovereign and independent people, which day will be forever marked as the era when their political existence commenced:

Resolved, That the Legislature of this Commonwealth will, on Monday next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, celebrate the anniversary of the Independence of the United States, and repair to some suitable place for public worship, and there in a solemn manner render thanks to Almighty God, for the signal and unmerited interposition of his Providence, in bringing to pass this great event, in supporting these States through a cruel and bloody war, in establishing them in peace and continuing to bestow his innumerable blessings upon them; and also humbly to implore that he would fit us to receive. the divine favor and benediction on all our national affairs.

Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor, his Honor the Lieutenant Governor and the Honorable Council, be requested to attend on this occasion; and that his Excellency be desired to direct demonstrations of joy by the

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