hollow ware in July, 1778, and that the sum of One hundred and sixty-three pounds, fifteen shillings and ten pence, specie, still remains due therefor, and praying for payment of the said balance:

Resolved, That the Treasurer, be, and he is, hereby directed to pay the sum of One hundred and sixty-three pounds, fifteen shillings and ten pence, out of the public treasury, to the said James Perry, Esq; One hundred pounds thereof, by an order upon the Committee on the sale of absentees estates in the county of Bristol, and the remainder in such way as may be convenient.

Chapter 197.

March 24, 1786.

Chap.197 RESOLVE TO HAVE A WAGGON ROAD OVER HOOSUCK MOUN

TAIN, DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SALE OF UN-
APPROPRIATED LANDS IN BERKSHIRE, TO PAY CERTAIN
MONIES FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND APPOINTING A COMMITTEE
TO VIEW THE SAID ROAD, &c.

Whereas it appears to this Court, that it may be of public utility, and considerably enhance the value of the lands belonging to this Commonwealth on Hoosuck Mountain, to have a waggon road made across the same:

Therefore Resolved, That the Committee for the sale of the unappropriated land belonging to this Commonwealth, in the county of Berkshire, be, and they are, hereby directed to pay out of the monies arising from the sale of the lands aforesaid, lying on the said Hoosuck Mountain, One hundred and seventy-five pounds, to such person or persons, who shall, on or before the first day of December, 1787, make and complete a good waggon road from the west line of Charlemont, across the said mountain, to the easterly line of the town of Adams; and shall erect and complete a good bridge over Deerfield River, at the place where the said road shall cross the same river.

And it is further Resolved, That Thompson J. Skinner and Samuel Taylor, Esqr's. and Mr. Reuben Hinman, be, and hereby are, appointed a Committee to view the said road, judge and determine whether the said bridge and road are completed in such manner as to answer the true intent and meaning of this resolve; and no person shall be entitled to receive payment as aforesaid, unless a certificate shall be produced, signed by the last mentioned

Committee, that the said road and bridge are completed
in manner aforesaid: and the Committee for the sale of
lands aforesaid, are hereby authorized and directed to
make sale of so much of the said lands, as shall be suffi-
cient to enable them to pay the said sum of One hundred
and seventy-five pounds, to such person or persons, as shall
make and complete the said road and bridge, by the said
first day of December, 1787, and produce a certificate
thereof from the Committee as aforesaid, any resolve of
this Court, for postponing the sale of the aforesaid lands,
notwithstanding.
March 24, 1786.

Chapter 198.

RESOLVE ON THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE, REQUESTING HIM
TO TRANSMIT TO CONGRESS, AN ATTESTED ACCOUNT OF THE
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH.

Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor, be, and he hereby is, requested to transmit to Congress, an attested account of the number of inhabitants within this Commonwealth, a return of which hath been made into the Secretary's office, pursuant to an act and resolution of the Legislature, and also an attested copy of the act and resolution, requiring the said return.

Chapter 199.

March 24, 1786.

RESOLVE ON THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE, RESPECTING THE
APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATES TO MEET IN CONVENTION FOR
THE PURPOSE OF FORMING COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.

Whereas information has been received that the General Assembly of the State of Virginia, have passed a resolution, appointing certain persons therein named, as Commissioners in behalf of the said State, to meet such Commissioners as may be appointed by the other States in the Union, for the purpose of taking into consideration the trade of the United States; and to report to the several States, such an act relative thereto, as will best promote the commercial interest of the United States.

Resolved, That the Honourable Caleb Davis, Benjamin Goodhue, and Tristram Dalton, Esquires, and John Coffin Jones, Esq; together with those persons who are or may be constituted Agents in behalf of this Commonwealth, to conduct and prosecute our claims to lands con

Chap.198

Chap.199

troverted by New York, and lying to the westward of that State, be, and they are, hereby appointed Commissioners on the part of this Commonwealth, who, or any three of whom, are hereby authorized and empowered to meet such Commissioners as may be appointed by the other States in the Union, at Annapolis, on the first Monday in September next, for the purpose of considering the trade of the United States, to examine the relative situations and trade of the said States, to consider how far an uniform system in their commercial regulations may be necessary to their common interest, and their permanent harmony; and to report to the United States in Congress assembled, such an act relative to this great object, as when agreed to by them, and confirmed by the Legislature of every State, will enable the United States in Congress assembled, effectually to provide for the same.

And it is further Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor be requested to give notice to the Supreme Executives of the several States in the Union, of the concurrence of this Commonwealth in the measure proposed by the State of Virginia, for the purposes aforesaid. March 24, 1786.

Chapter 200.

Chap.200 RESOLVE DISCHARGING SAMUEL PHILLIPS, JUN. AND NATHAN

IEL WELLS, ESQ'RS. OF THE SUM MENTIONED, AND GRANT-
ING THE COMMITTEE THREE HUNDRED POUNDS, TO ENABLE
THEM TO PROSECUTE THE BUSINESS OF UNAPPROPRIATED
LANDS, AND MAKING THEM AN ALLOWANCE FOR THEIR
SERVICES.

The Committee to whom was referred for examination, the accounts of two of the Committee for the sale of unappropriated lands in the county of Lincoln, and their report relative to their transacting the business committed to their charge, after carefully inspecting into the same, find the accounts exhibited by them, to be right cast and well vouched, and by which there appears to be a balance of Forty-nine pounds, seven shillings and nine pence, in favour of this Commonwealth, for which they are still to account; they also find that a further grant of Three hundred pounds, is necessary to enable them to continue the prosecution of their commission, and from a view of the magnitude of the object for which they were appointed; and notwith

standing the perplexity attending its prosecution, they find that by the assiduity of the aforesaid Committee, a considerable progress is already made in the business. of their commission, by which the Commonwealth will probably derive those advantages, which may reasonably be expected.

Resolved, That Samuel Phillips, jun. and Nathaniel Wells, Esq'rs. the two of the Committee abovementioned, be, and they are, hereby discharged of the sum of One thousand and fifty-three pounds, eighteen shillings and seven pence half penny, which they have received of the Treasurer of this Commonwealth, saving the balance of Forty-nine pounds, seven shillings and nine pence, for which they continue to be accountable.

And it is further Resolved, That the sum of Three hundred pounds be paid out of the treasury of this Commonwealth, unto Samuel Phillips, jun., Nathaniel Wells and John Brooks, Esq'rs; the Committee on the subject of unappropriated lands, to enable them to continue the prosecution of their business, they to be accountable for the expenditure of the same.

And be it further Resolved, that there be allowed and paid out of the treasury of this Commonwealth, unto Samuel Phillips, jun. and Nathaniel Wells, Esq'rs; the sum of One hundred and fifty pounds each, as a full compensation for their services aforesaid, from the 28th of October, 1783, to the time of passing this resolve.

Chapter 201.

March 24, 1786.

RESOLVE REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL TO CON-
SIDER THE BEST METHOD TO BE ADOPTED FOR THE COINING
OF SILVER AND COPPER OF THE SEVERAL SORTS OF COIN.

Whereas application hath been made to this Court, by divers persons, praying for a right of coining copper in this Commonwealth.

Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Council, be, and they are, hereby requested to consider of the expediency of coining silver and copper, in this Commonwealth; and if in their opinion it is expedient that either be coined, that they consider what quantity it will be convenient to coin, in what mode the business should be conducted, the proper devices to be

Chap.201

used, and the advantage that may accrue from such coin-
ing, to this Commonwealth, and to make such communi-
cations on this subject, to the General Court, at the next
session, as they may think conducive to the interest of the
State.
March 24, 1786.

Chapter 202.

Chap.202 RESOLVE ON THE PETITION OF A NUMBER OF THE INHABI

TANTS OF THE TOWNS OF MEDFIELD, WRENTHAM, ROX-
BURY, &c., RESPECTING THE PASSAGE OF THE FISH UP
CHARLES RIVER, APPOINTING A COMMITTEE TO REPAIR TO
THE PLACES WHERE THE OBSTRUCTIONS ARE, &c., VIEW
THE SAME AND REPORT.

On the petition of a number of the inhabitants of the towns of Medfield, Wrentham, Roxbury, Dedham, Newton and Medway, praying that an enquiry may be made, respecting the passage of the fish up Charles river, for reasons set forth in the said petition.

Resolved, That the prayer thereof be so far granted, that Elisha May, Daniel Whitney, and Seth Bullard, Esq'rs; be a Committee to repair to the places where the obstructions are, carefully view the same, hear all the parties, (previously notifying all concerned) and report at the next sitting of the General Court, what measures may be necessary to be taken thereon; provided however, that the petitioners agree to defray the charge of the Committee aforesaid. March 24, 1786.

Chapter 203.

Chap.203 RESOLVE DIRECTING THE TREASURER TO SELL THE OLD CON

TINENTAL MONEY.

Resolved, That the Treasurer of this Commonwealth, be, and he hereby is, authorized and empowered to exchange the whole or any part of the old Continental money, now in the treasury of this Commonwealth, on the best terms. that he can, for the certificates called final settlements, or the certificates of any other liquidated debts of the United States.

Provided, That the Treasurer shall not exchange the same at a less rate than fifty of the said Continental dollars, for one dollar of final settlement certificates, on which the interest is due from the year 1783.

March 24, 1786.