and_o judge_v in_o such_o form_n as_o if_o such_o offence_n have_v be_v commit_v in_o and_o upon_o the_o land_n and_o to_o that_o end_n and_o purpose_n commission_n shall_v be_v have_v under_o their_o majesty_n seal_n of_o this_o province_n direct_v to_o the_o judge_n or_o judge_n of_o the_o admiralty_n of_o this_o province_n for_o the_o time_n be_v and_o to_o such_o other_o substantial_a person_n as_o by_o their_o majesty_n governor_n or_o commander_n in_o chief_a of_o this_o province_n for_o the_o time_n be_v shall_v be_v name_v or_o appoint_v which_o say_v commissioner_n or_o such_o a_o quorum_fw-la of_o they_o as_o by_o such_o commission_n shall_v be_v thereunto_o authorize_v shall_v have_v full_a power_n to_o do_v all_o thing_n in_o and_o about_o the_o enquiry_n hear_v determine_a adjudge_v and_o punish_v of_o any_o of_o the_o crime_n and_o offence_n aforesaid_a as_o any_o commissioner_n appoint_v by_o commission_n under_o the_o great_a seal_n of_o england_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o statute_n make_v in_o the_o twenty_o eight_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o eight_o be_v impower_v to_o do_v and_o execute_v within_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n and_o that_o the_o say_v offender_n which_o be_v or_o shall_v be_v apprehend_v in_o or_o bring_v prisoner_n to_o this_o province_n shall_v be_v liable_a to_o such_o order_n process_n judgement_n and_o execution_n by_o virtue_n of_o such_o commission_n to_o be_v ground_v upon_o this_o act_n as_o may_v be_v award_v or_o give_v against_o they_o if_o they_o be_v proceed_v against_o within_o the_o realm_n of_o england_n by_o virtue_n of_o any_o commission_n ground_v upon_o the_o say_a statute_n be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o all_o and_o every_o person_n or_o person_n that_o shall_v any_o way_n know_o entertain_v harbour_n conceal_v trade_n or_o hold_v any_o correspondence_n by_o letter_n or_o otherwise_o with_o any_o person_n or_o person_n that_o shall_v be_v deem_v or_o judge_v to_o be_v privateer_n pirate_n or_o other_o offender_n within_o the_o construction_n of_o this_o act_n and_o shall_v not_o ready_o endeavour_v to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o and_o their_o power_n to_o apprehend_v or_o cause_n to_o be_v apprehend_v such_o offender_n or_o offender_n shall_v be_v liable_a to_o be_v prosecute_v against_o as_o accessary_n and_o confederate_n to_o suffer_v such_o pain_n and_o penalty_n as_o in_o in_o such_o case_n by_o law_n be_v provide_v and_o for_o the_o better_a and_o more_o effectual_a execution_n of_o this_o act_n be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o all_o commission_n officer_n in_o their_o several_a precinct_n within_o this_o province_n be_v hereby_o require_v and_o impower_v upon_o his_o or_o their_o knowledge_n or_o notice_n give_v that_o any_o privateer_n pirate_n or_o other_o person_n suspect_v to_o be_v upon_o any_o unlawful_a design_n be_v in_o any_o place_n within_o their_o respective_a precinct_n to_o raise_v and_o levy_v such_o number_n of_o well_o arm_a man_n as_o he_o or_o they_o shall_v think_v needful_a for_o the_o seize_v apprehend_v and_o carry_v to_o goal_n all_o and_o every_o such_o person_n and_o person_n and_o in_o case_n of_o any_o resistance_n or_o refusal_n to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o their_o majesty_n authority_n it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a to_o kill_v or_o destroy_v such_o person_n or_o person_n and_o all_o and_o every_o person_n or_o person_n that_o shall_v oppose_v or_o resist_v by_o strike_v or_o fire_v upon_o any_o of_o the_o command_a party_n shall_v be_v deem_v take_v and_o adjudge_v felon_n without_o benefit_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o every_o such_o officer_n that_o shall_v omit_v or_o neglect_v his_o duty_n herein_o shall_v forfeit_v fifty_o pound_n currant_n money_n of_o this_o province_n for_o every_o such_o offence_n to_o be_v recover_v in_o any_o of_o their_o majesty_n court_n of_o record_n within_o this_o province_n by_o bill_n plaint_n or_o information_n wherein_o be_v no_o effoyn_n wager_n of_o law_n or_o protection_n shall_v be_v allow_v one_o moiety_n thereof_o to_o be_v to_o their_o majesty_n their_o heir_n and_o successor_n for_o and_o towards_o the_o support_n of_o the_o government_n of_o this_o province_n and_o the_o contingent_a charge_n thereof_o and_o the_o other_o moiety_n to_o the_o informer_n and_o all_o and_o every_o person_n and_o person_n that_o upon_o order_n give_v he_o or_o they_o shall_v refuse_v to_o repair_v immediate_o with_o his_o or_o their_o arm_n well_o fix_v and_o ammunition_n to_o such_o place_n or_o place_n as_o shall_v be_v appoint_v by_o any_o super_fw-la officer_n or_o officer_n and_o not_o ready_o obey_v his_o or_o their_o command_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o premise_n shall_v be_v liable_a to_o such_o fine_a or_o corporal_a punishment_n as_o shall_v be_v award_v against_o they_o within_o the_o court_n to_o which_o the_o recognizeance_n of_o the_o fact_n do_v belong_v finis_fw-la a_o act_n for_o grant_v to_o their_o majesty_n the_o rate_n of_o one_o penny_n per_fw-la pound_n upon_o all_o the_o real_a and_o personal_a estate_n within_o this_o province_n of_o new-york_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v allow_v unto_o his_o excellency_n the_o governor_n for_o the_o care_n of_o the_o province_n november_n the_o 12_o 1692._o the_o representative_n convene_v in_o general_a assembly_n in_o all_o humble_a and_o dutiful_a acknowledgement_n of_o their_o majesty_n most_o gracious_a favour_n and_o regard_v to_o the_o subject_n of_o this_o province_n by_o commissionate_v and_o appoint_v over_o they_o a_o person_n to_o be_v their_o governor_n who_o be_v endue_v with_o most_o excellent_a quality_n and_o have_v give_v most_o signal_n demonstration_n of_o his_o constant_a loyalty_n and_o fidelity_n unto_o their_o majesty_n by_o his_o prudent_a care_n and_o conduct_v since_o his_o arrival_n into_o this_o their_o majesty_n province_n and_o who_o by_o his_o unwearied_a vigilence_n have_v visit_v the_o frontier_n of_o the_o same_o and_o have_v put_v they_o into_o such_o posture_n as_o that_o all_o the_o subject_n be_v in_o safety_n though_o environ_v with_o a_o powerful_a enemy_n in_o the_o deep_a sense_n thereof_o become_v humble_a suppliant_n unto_o their_o most_o excellent_a majesty_n and_o pray_v that_o they_o will_v be_v gracious_o please_v to_o accept_v as_o a_o token_n of_o their_o most_o loyal_a and_o sincere_a affection_n unto_o their_o majesty_n and_o their_o government_n establish_v here_o one_o penny_n for_o every_o pound_n value_n of_o all_o the_o real_a and_o personal_a estate_n of_o all_o and_o every_o the_o freeholders_n and_n inhabitant_n within_o this_o their_o majesty_n province_n and_o dependency_n and_o do_v likewise_o humble_o pray_v that_o your_o most_o excellent_a majesty_n will_v be_v please_v to_o give_v &_o allow_v the_o same_o unto_o benjamin_n fletcher_n esq_n capt._n general_n and_o governor_n in_o chief_a in_o and_o over_o their_o majesty_n province_n of_o new-york_n and_o territory_n thereon_o depend_v in_o america_n and_o pray_v that_o it_o be_v so_o enact_v be_v it_o therefore_o enact_v by_o the_o governor_n and_o council_n and_o representative_n convene_v in_o general_a assembly_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o that_o there_o be_v assess_v levy_v and_o collect_v one_o penny_n for_o every_o pound_n value_v of_o all_o the_o real_a and_o personal_a estate_n of_o all_o and_o every_o the_o freeholders_n and_n inhabitant_n within_o this_o province_n and_o dependency_n to_o be_v assess_v levy_v collect_v and_o pay_v in_o manner_n and_o form_n follow_v that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o one_o half_a or_o moiety_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a assessment_n of_o one_o penny_n for_o every_o pound_n value_v of_o all_o the_o real_a and_o personal_a estate_n as_o aforesaid_a to_o be_v assess_v levy_v collect_v and_o pay_v unto_o their_o majesty_n receiver_n general_n at_o new-york_n at_o or_o before_o the_o first_o day_n of_o september_n next_o which_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o ninety_o and_o three_o and_o the_o other_o half_a or_o moiety_n of_o the_o say_a assessment_n to_o be_v pay_v in_o like_a manner_n at_o or_o before_o the_o first_o day_n of_o september_n than_o next_o follow_v which_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o ninety_o and_o four_n and_o for_o the_o more_o due_a and_o orderly_a collection_n of_o the_o assessment_n aforesaid_a be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o the_o mayor_n and_o alderman_n within_o the_o city_n of_o new-york_n for_o the_o time_n be_v and_o the_o mayor_n and_o alderman_n within_o the_o city_n of_o albany_n for_o the_o time_n be_v and_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n for_o the_o time_n be_v for_o the_o several_a and_o respective_a county_n within_o this_o province_n for_o the_o several_a county_n respective_o for_o the_o which_o they_o
and_o every_o of_o their_o former_a right_n custom_n prerogative_n privilege_n preeminency_n practice_n immunity_n liberty_n franchise_n royalty_n and_o usage_n whatsoever_o in_o as_o full_a and_o ample_a manner_n as_o if_o none_o of_o these_o change_n alteration_n disturbance_n want_v of_o other_o form_n in_o the_o law_n or_o the_o non-feizance_a of_o any_o right_n privilege_n or_o custom_n of_o any_o of_o the_o corporation_n aforesaid_a have_v never_o happen_v or_o be_v neglect_v any_o thing_n herein_o contain_v or_o in_o any_o other_o law_n to_o the_o contrary_a in_o any_o wise_n notwithstanding_o provide_v that_o nothing_o herein_o contain_v shall_v be_v construe_v or_o take_v to_o bar_v any_o person_n or_o person_n of_o he_o or_o their_o former_a and_o just_a right_n or_o pretence_n to_o any_o house_n tract_n or_o parcel_n of_o land_n within_o this_o province_n always_o provide_v that_o he_o or_o they_o that_o have_v any_o such_o just_a right_n or_o pretence_n do_v make_v his_o or_o their_o claim_n within_o the_o space_n of_o five_o year_n next_o after_o the_o date_n hereof_o and_o also_o provide_v that_o nothing_o herein_o contain_v shall_v be_v intend_v or_o construe_v to_o the_o prejudice_n or_o hindrance_n of_o the_o title_n or_o claim_n of_o any_o person_n under_o age_n feme_fw-fr covert_n non_fw-la compos_fw-la mentis_fw-la imprisonment_n or_o beyond_o the_o sea_n a_o act_n for_o the_o enable_v each_o respective_a town_n within_o this_o province_n to_o regulate_v their_o fence_n and_o highway_n and_o make_v prudential_a order_n for_o their_o peace_n and_o orderly_a improvement_n whereas_o the_o respective_a town_n within_o this_o province_n etc._n etc._n be_v so_o circumstance_v as_o to_o have_v different_a and_o distrust_v way_n in_o their_o improvement_n of_o tillage_n and_o pasturage_n and_o that_o it_o be_v altogether_o necessary_a that_o they_o may_v be_v qualify_v and_o make_v capable_a in_o the_o law_n to_o make_v such_o prudential_a rule_n and_o order_n for_o the_o better_a improvement_n of_o their_o respective_a town_n and_o the_o regulate_v their_o fence_n and_o highway_n according_o be_v it_o therefore_o enact_v by_o the_o governor_n and_o council_n and_o the_o râ—presentatives_n meet_v in_o general_a assembly_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o that_o the_o freeholders_n of_o every_o respective_a town_n with_o this_o province_n be_v hereby_o impower_v and_o authorize_v to_o meet_v and_o assemble_v themselves_o together_o at_o such_o time_n and_o place_n as_o be_v appoint_v and_o express_v in_o their_o respective_a grant_n and_o patent_n and_o when_o so_o assemble_v to_o make_v establish_z constitute_v and_o ordain_v from_o time_n to_o time_n such_o prudential_a order_n and_o rule_n for_o the_o better_a improve_n of_o their_o respective_a land_n in_o tillage_n pasturage_n or_o in_o any_o other_o reasonable_a way_n as_o shall_v by_o the_o majority_n of_o the_o freeholders_n so_o assemble_v or_o convene_v as_o aforesaid_a be_v think_v good_a and_o convenient_a and_o also_o when_o the_o freeholders_n of_o each_o respective_a town_n within_o this_o province_n etc._n etc._n be_v assemble_v as_o aforesaid_a they_o be_v hereby_o further_o authorize_v and_o impower_v to_o make_v choose_v and_o nominate_v in_o each_o of_o their_o respective-town_n annual_o and_o once_o every_o year_n three_o person_n to_o be_v surveyor_n and_o orderer_n of_o the_o work_n for_o the_o lay_v out_o and_o the_o amendment_n of_o the_o highway_n and_o fence_n within_o the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o their_o respective_a town_n within_o this_o province_n which_o person_n so_o nominate_v and_o choose_v shall_v take_v upon_o they_o the_o say_a office_n and_o be_v hereby_o impower_v to_o lay_v out_o set_v forth_o regulate_v and_o amend_v all_o such_o highway_n and_o fence_n as_o shall_v be_v establish_v in_o such_o manner_n form_n and_o way_n as_o shall_v be_v agree_v upon_o and_o direct_v by_o the_o majority_n of_o the_o freeholders_n of_o each_o respective_a town_n as_o aforesaid_a always_o provide_v that_o such_o order_n as_o be_v make_v constitute_v and_o ordain_v shall_v be_v keep_v and_o register_v in_o the_o town_n be_v book_n for_o that_o purpose_n and_o consent_v to_o and_o approve_v by_o the_o next_o court_n of_o session_n of_o the_o peace_n in_o the_o county_n where_o the_o respective_a town_n be_v otherwise_o to_o be_v of_o no_o force_n nor_o virtue_n whatsoever_o a_o act_n for_o defray_v of_o the_o public_a and_o necessary_a charge_n throughout_o this_o province_n and_o for_o maintain_v the_o poor_a and_o prevent_v vagabond_n forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o each_o respective_a county_n within_o this_o province_n shall_v have_v power_n to_o establish_v a_o rate_n for_o the_o defray_n of_o their_o respective_a and_o public_a charge_n be_v it_o therefore_o enact_v by_o the_o governor_n and_o council_n and_o representative_n convene_v in_o general_a assembly_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o that_o there_o be_v elect_v and_o choose_v annual_o and_o once_o every_o year_n in_o each_o respective_a town_n within_o this_o province_n two_o freeholders_n who_o be_v hereby_o impower_v to_o assess_v and_o establish_v a_o certain_a rate_n upon_o each_o of_o the_o freeholders_n and_n inhabitant_n within_o their_o respective_a town_n which_o assessment_n or_o certain_a rate_n shall_v upon_o a_o certain_a day_n as_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o respective_a town_n shall_v appoint_v be_v deliver_v to_o a_o certain_a freeholder_n which_o shall_v be_v likewise_o choose_v in_o each_o respective_a town_n aforesaid_a to_o supervise_v and_o examine_v the_o public_a and_o necessary_a charge_n of_o each_o respective_a county_n which_o person_n so_o due_o choose_v shall_v elect_v and_o constitute_v a_o certain_a treasurer_n for_o each_o respective_a county_n which_o treasurer_n shall_v make_v such_o payment_n for_o the_o defray_n of_o all_o the_o public_a and_o necessary_a charge_n of_o each_o respective_a county_n as_o shall_v be_v appoint_v and_o order_v by_o the_o person_n so_o choose_v for_o the_o supervise_v the_o public_a charge_n of_o each_o respective_a county_n and_o be_v it_o further_o provide_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o any_o such_o assessment_n or_o rate_n make_v ordain_v or_o appoint_v by_o the_o person_n so_o choose_v shall_v be_v collect_v and_o gather_v by_o the_o constable_n or_o any_o other_o person_n choose_v or_o appoint_v thereunto_o as_o also_o if_o any_o person_n or_o person_n shall_v refuse_v to_o pay_v the_o say_a assessment_n or_o rate_n that_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_a for_o they_o that_o be_v choose_v as_o aforesaid_a and_o they_o be_v hereby_o authorize_v to_o issue_n out_o their_o warrant_n to_o the_o constable_n under_o their_o hand_n and_o seal_n or_o any_o other_o person_n appoint_v by_o they_o to_o collect_v and_o levy_v the_o same_o by_o distress_n on_o their_o good_n and_o chattel_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o the_o treasurer_n of_o each_o respective_a county_n within_o this_o province_n shall_v keep_v a_o distinct_a book_n of_o account_n contain_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o all_o the_o money_n rate_n and_o assessment_n aforesaid_a and_o also_o of_o all_o disbursment_n and_o payment_n by_o warrant_n aforesaid_a and_o once_o every_o year_n he_o shall_v bring_v in_o his_o account_n to_o such_o person_n as_o shall_v be_v appoint_v for_o the_o audit_n of_o the_o same_o under_o the_o penalty_n of_o one_o hundred_o pound_n except_o prevent_v by_o death_n or_o sickness_n and_o further_o whereas_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n and_o practice_n of_o their_o majesty_n realm_n of_o england_n and_o all_o the_o adjacent_a colony_n in_o america_n that_o every_o respective_a town_n and_o parish_n do_v take_v care_n and_o provide_v for_o the_o poor_a who_o do_v inhabit_v in_o their_o respective_a precinct_n as_o aforesaid_a therefore_o it_o be_v enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v the_o respective_a freeholders_n elect_a and_o choose_v as_o aforesaid_a in_o every_o town_n parish_n and_o precinct_n shall_v make_v provision_n for_o the_o maintenance_n and_o support_v of_o their_o poor_a respective_o and_o for_o the_o prevention_n and_o discouragement_n of_o vagabond_n and_o idle_a person_n to_o come_v into_o this_o province_n from_o other_o part_n and_o also_o from_o one_o part_n of_o the_o province_n to_o another_o be_v it_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o all_o person_n that_o shall_v come_v to_o inhabit_v within_o this_o province_n or_o any_o part_n or_o place_n thereof_o and_o have_v not_o a_o visible_a estate_n or_o have_v not_o a_o manual_a occupation_n shall_v before_o he_o be_v admit_v a_o inhabitant_n give_v sufficient_a surety_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o burden_n or_o charge_n to_o the_o respective_a place_n he_o shall_v come_v to_o inhabit_v which_o security_n shall_v continue_v for_o two_o year_n provide_v always_o that_o all_o those_o that_o have_v manual_a
behoof_n of_o the_o say_a orphan_n and_o not_o otherwise_o and_o the_o say_v intestates_fw-la estate_n so_o inventory_v as_o aforesaid_a shall_v cause_v to_o be_v well_o secure_v and_o improve_v to_o the_o best_a advantage_n for_o the_o behoof_n of_o the_o say_a orphan_n until_o they_o marry_v or_o come_v to_o the_o age_n of_o one_o and_o twenty_o year_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v likewise_o take_v take_v effectual_a care_n for_o the_o educate_v and_o instruct_v the_o say_a orphan_n in_o the_o holy_a protestant_a religion_n and_o that_o they_o be_v honest_o maintain_v according_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o say_v intestates_fw-la estate_n and_o not_o otherwise_o and_o be_v it_o far_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o the_o probate_n of_o all_o will_n and_o letter_n of_o administration_n shall_v be_v from_o hence_o forth_o grant_v by_o the_o governor_n or_o such_o person_n as_o he_o shall_v delegate_v under_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o prerogative_n office_n for_o that_o purpose_n appoint_v and_o that_o all_o will_n relate_v to_o any_o estate_n within_o the_o several_a county_n of_o orange_n and_o richmond_n av_a chester_n king_n county_n shall_v be_v prove_v at_o new-york_n before_o the_o governor_n or_o such_o person_n as_o he_o shall_v delegate_v as_o aforesaid_a but_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o remoteness_n of_o the_o other_o county_n from_o new-york_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o great_a charge_n and_o inconveniency_n of_o bring_v witness_n so_o far_o the_o court_n of_o common_a plea_n in_o each_o of_o these_o remote_a county_n be_v hereby_o impower_v and_o authorize_v to_o take_v the_o examination_n of_o witness_n to_o any_o will_n within_o their_o respective_a county_n upon_o oath_n and_o the_o same_o with_o the_o will_n to_o certify_v to_o the_o secretary_n office_n at_o new-york_n with_o all_o convenient_a speed_n under_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o judge_n &_o clark_n of_o the_o say_a court_n that_o the_o probate_n thereof_o may_v be_v grant_v according_o and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o vacancy_n of_o the_o say_a court_n of_o common_a plea_n or_o upon_o any_o extraordinary_a occasion_n or_o necessity_n the_o respective_a judge_n of_o the_o inferior_a court_n assist_v with_o two_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n within_o the_o say_v remote_a county_n may_v and_o be_v hereby_o impower_v and_o authorize_v at_o any_o time_n during_o the_o vacancy_n of_o the_o say_v respective_a court_n to_o take_v the_o examination_n of_o witness_n to_o any_o will_n produce_v before_o they_o upon_o oath_n and_o to_o certify_v the_o same_o as_o aforesaid_a and_o in_o case_n any_o debate_n or_o controversy_n shall_v arise_v about_o swear_v &_o examine_v such_o witness_n or_o allow_v the_o will_n the_o say_a court_n or_o judge_n &_o justice_n may_v hear_v and_o determine_v the_o same_o and_o if_o any_o be_v unsatisfied_a with_o their_o proceed_n therein_o they_o may_v appeal_v to_o the_o governor_n or_o to_o such_o other_o person_n delegated_a as_o aforesaid_a before_o the_o probate_n of_o such_o will_v be_v grant_v and_o it_o be_v further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o the_o several_a judge_n of_o the_o respective_a court_n within_o the_o say_v remote_a county_n in_o open_a court_n and_o on_o extraordinary_a occasion_n or_o necessity_n out_o of_o court_n assist_v with_o two_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n aforesaid_a may_v and_o be_v hereby_o authorize_v and_o impower_v to_o grant_v probates_n of_o any_o will_n or_o letter_n of_o administration_n to_o any_o person_n or_o person_n where_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o person_n make_v such_o will_n or_o of_o the_o intestate_a on_o which_o letter_n of_o administration_n be_v desire_v do_v not_o exceed_v the_o value_n of_o fifty_o pound_n any_o thing_n herein_o contain_v to_o the_o contrary_a hereof_o in_o any_o way_n notwithstanding_o provide_v always_o that_o any_o person_n or_o person_n concern_v in_o the_o probate_n of_o such_o will_n or_o letter_n of_o administration_n to_o be_v grant_v by_o the_o judge_n of_o the_o say_a court_n as_o aforesaid_a may_v within_o three_o month_n after_o the_o grant_v thereof_o bring_v his_o or_o their_o appeal_n or_o appeal_n therein_o before_o the_o governor_n or_o such_o other_o person_n delegated_a as_o aforesaid_a a_o act_n for_o the_o encourage_v a_o post-office_n whereas_o their_o most_o excellent_a majesty_n by_o their_o letter_n patent_n under_o the_o great_a seal_n of_o england_n bear_v date_n the_o 17_o day_n of_o february_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1691._o have_v give_v unto_o thomas_n neal_n esq_n his_o executor_n administrator_n and_o assign_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o eâ—ect_v settle_v and_o establish_v within_o the_o chief_a port_n of_o their_o say_a majesty_n colony_n and_o plantation_n in_o amerira_n a_o office_n or_o office_n for_o the_o receive_v and_o dispatch_v of_o letter_n and_o pacquet_n and_o to_o receive_v send_v and_o deliver_v the_o same_o under_o such_o rate_n and_o sum_n of_o money_n as_o the_o planter_n shall_v agree_v to_o give_v etc._n etc._n to_o hold_v and_o enjoy_v the_o same_o for_o the_o term_n of_o one_o and_o twenty_o year_n with_o such_o power_n and_o clause_n as_o be_v necessary_a on_o that_o behalf_n as_o by_o the_o say_a letter_n patent_n relation_n be_v thereunto_o have_v may_v more_o full_o and_o at_o large_a appear_v and_o whereas_o andrew_n hamilton_n esq_n be_v depute_v and_o constitue_v to_o govern_v and_o manage_v the_o say_a general_n post-office_n for_o and_o throughout_o all_o their_o majesty_n plantation_n and_o colony_n upon_o the_o main_a land_n or_o continent_n of_o america_n and_o island_n adjacent_a thereunto_o pursuant_n to_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o say_a letter_n patent_n and_o whereas_o he_o the_o say_v andrew_n hamilton_n have_v make_v apprication_n to_o his_o excellency_n the_o governor_n and_o council_n and_o representative_n convene_v in_o general_a assembly_n that_o they_o will_v ascertain_v and_o establish_v such_o rate_n and_o sum_n of_o money_n upon_o the_o letter_n and_o pacquet_n that_o shall_v be_v receive_v and_o dispitch_v by_o the_o say_a office_n and_o office_n for_o the_o effectual_a encourage_n of_o the_o say_a general_n post-office_n and_o for_o the_o quick_a maintenance_n of_o mutual_a correspondency_n among_o all_o our_o neighbour_a colony_n and_o plantation_n aforesaid_a and_o that_o trade_n and_o commerce_n may_v be_v the_o better_o preserve_v be_v it_o therefore_o enact_v by_o the_o governor_n and_o council_n and_o representative_n convene_v in_o general_a assembly_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v from_o henceforth_o a_o general_n letter-office_n erect_v and_o establish_v in_o some_o convenient_a place_n within_o the_o city_n of_o new-york_n from_o whence_o all_o letter_n and_o pacquet_n whatsoever_o may_v be_v with_o speed_n &_o expedition_n send_v into_o any_o part_n of_o our_o neighbour_a colony_n and_o plantation_n on_o this_o main_a land_n and_o continent_n of_o america_n or_o unto_o any_o other_o of_o their_o majesty_n kingdom_n and_o dominion_n beyond_o the_o sea_n at_o which_o say_v office_n all_o return_v and_o answer_n may_v be_v likewise_o receive_v and_o that_o one_o master_n of_o the_o say_a general_n letter-office_n shall_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v appoint_v by_o the_o say_v andrew_n hamilton_n which_o say_v master_n of_o the_o say_a office_n or_o his_o servant_n or_o agent_n and_o no_o other_o person_n or_o person_n whatsoever_o shall_v from_o time_n to_o time_n have_v the_o receive_n take_v up_o order_v dispatch_a send_v post_n or_o with_o speed_n and_o deliver_v of_o all_o letter_n and_o pacquet_n whatsoever_o which_o shall_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v send_v to_o and_o from_o all_o and_o every_o of_o the_o adjacent_a colony_n and_o plantation_n on_o this_o main_a land_n and_o continent_n of_o america_n or_o any_o other_o of_o their_o majesty_n kingdom_n and_o dominion_n beyond_o the_o sea_n where_o he_o the_o say_a postmaster_n general_n shall_v settle_v or_o cause_n to_o be_v settle_v post_n on_o run_v messenger_n for_o that_o purpose_n except_o such_o letter_n of_o merchant_n &_o master_n which_o shall_v be_v send_v by_o any_o master_n of_o any_o ship_n bark_n or_o other_o vessel_n of_o merchandise_n or_o by_o any_o other_o person_n employ_v by_o they_o for_o the_o carriage_n of_o such_o letter_n aforesaid_a according_a to_o the_o respective_a direction_n and_o also_o except_o lettet_n to_o be_v send_v by_o any_o private_a friend_n or_o friend_n in_o their_o way_n and_o journey_n or_o travel_n or_o by_o any_o messenger_n or_o messenger_n send_v on_o purpose_n for_o or_o concern_v the_o private_a affair_n of_o any_o person_n or_o person_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o such_o postmaster_n for_o the_o time_n be_v and_o no_o other_o person_n whatsoever_o shall_v prepare_v and_o provide_v horse_n and_o furniture_n to_o â—et_v to_o