of_o the_o assessor_n so_o choose_v as_o aforesaid_a shall_v refuse_v to_o serve_v as_o aforesaid_a shall_v forthwith_o after_o notice_n thereof_o summon_v a_o meeting_n of_o the_o freeholder_n and_o inhabitant_n of_o such_o town_n to_o choose_v one_o or_o more_o assessor_n or_o assessor_n in_o the_o room_n or_o room_n of_o such_o so_o refuse_v make_v a_o new_a choice_n to_o be_v make_v which_o freeholder_n and_o inhabitant_n due_o qualify_v to_o vote_n be_v so_o assemble_v shall_v according_o choose_v so_o many_o assessor_n as_o shall_v be_v want_v to_o complete_a the_o number_n which_o the_o town_n at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o first_o choice_n vote_v and_o agree_v shall_v be_v elect_v for_o the_o fame_n provide_v nevertheless_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o court_n of_o general_n session_n of_o the_o peace_n upon_o reasonable_a excuse_n make_v unto_o they_o by_o any_o assessor_n or_o assessor_n choose_v for_o any_o town_n or_o town_n in_o the_o county_n for_o which_o such_o court_n be_v hold_v and_o keep_v penalty_n court_n of_o general_n session_n of_o the_o peace_n empower_v to_o abate_v or_o remit_v the_o penalty_n that_o shall_v retuse_a to_o accept_v as_o aforesaid_a to_o abate_v and_o remit_v unto_o such_o assessor_n or_o assessor_n if_o they_o see_v cause_n the_o forfeiture_n or_o penalty_n aforesaid_a and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o if_o any_o town_n shall_v not_o choose_v assessor_n as_o aforesaid_a or_o if_o so_o many_o of_o they_o so_o choose_v as_o aforesaid_a case_n select_a man_n or_o trustee_n of_o town_n to_o be_v assessor_n in_o case_n shall_v refuse_v to_o accept_v as_o that_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v such_o a_o number_n of_o they_o as_o any_o town_n shall_v agree_v to_o be_v the_o assessor_n thereof_o then_o and_o in_o either_o of_o the_o say_a case_n the_o select-man_n or_o trustee_n of_o such_o town_n shall_v be_v and_o be_v hereby_o declare_v and_o appoint_v the_o assessor_n of_o the_o same_o and_o every_o of_o they_o shall_v take_v the_o oath_n before_o recite_v in_o manner_n as_o aforesaid_a allowance_n assessor_n allowance_n and_o each_o assessor_n attend_v that_o service_n shall_v be_v allow_v and_o pay_v out_o of_o the_o town_n treasury_n two_o shilling_n per_fw-la diem_fw-la for_o each_o day_n he_o be_v necessary_o employ_v thereabouts_o and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o if_o at_o any_o time_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o default_n or_o neglect_v in_o any_o town_n or_o precinct_n assessor_n penalty_n on_o town_n that_o shall_v neglict_v to_o choose_v select-man_n or_o assessor_n to_o make_v choice_n of_o select_a man_n or_o assessor_n the_o say_a default_n or_o neglect_v be_v certify_v and_o make_v appear_v unto_o the_o general_a session_n of_o the_o peace_n within_o the_o same_o county_n such_o town_n or_o precinct_n shall_v forseit_v and_o pay_v the_o sum_n of_o twenty_o pound_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 in_o such_o case_n as_o also_o where_o neither_o the_o select_a man_n nor_o assessor_n choose_v by_o any_o town_n shall_v accept_v thereof_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o court_n of_o general_n session_n of_o the_o peace_n in_o the_o same_o county_n shall_v and_o be_v hereby_o empower_v to_o nominate_v and_o appoint_v three_o or_o more_o sufficient_a freeholder_n within_o such_o county_n to_o be_v assessor_n of_o the_o public_a rate_n or_o tax_n in_o any_o such_o town_n as_o aforesaid_a case_n court_n of_o general_n session_n of_o the_o peace_n to_o appoint_v assessor_n in_o case_n which_o assessor_n so_o to_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o say_a court_n shall_v take_v the_o oath_n before_o recite_v and_o shall_v then_o assess_v the_o estate_n and_o person_n of_o such_o town_n or_o precinct_n of_o which_o they_o shall_v be_v appoint_v assessor_n their_o due_a proportion_n to_o any_o public_a tax_n according_a to_o the_o rule_v set_v down_o in_o the_o act_n for_o raise_v of_o the_o same_o together_o with_o the_o aforesaid_a forfeiture_n of_o twenty_o pound_n where_o the_o town_n make_v default_n and_o such_o additional_a sum_n as_o shall_v answer_v their_o own_o reasonable_a charge_n for_o time_n and_o expense_n in_o say_a service_n not_o exceed_v five_o shilling_n a_o man_n per_fw-la diem_fw-la and_o have_v assess_v the_o same_o such_o allowance_n to_o such_o shall_v transmit_v a_o certificate_n there_o of_o to_o the_o treasurer_n with_o the_o name_n of_o the_o constable_n or_o collector_n to_o who_o they_o shall_v commit_v the_o same_o to_o be_v collect_v and_o such_o assessor_n shall_v be_v pay_v their_o charge_n as_o abovesaid_a the_o same_o be_v adjust_v and_o certify_v by_o two_o or_o more_o justice_n of_o the_o court_n by_o who_o they_o be_v appoint_v assessor_n treasury_n to_o be_v pay_v out_o of_o the_o public_a treasury_n under_o their_o hand_n out_o of_o the_o public_a treasury_n by_o warrant_n from_o the_o governor_n with_o the_o advice_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o council_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o all_o assessor_n as_o aforesaid_a shall_v due_o attend_v and_o observe_v all_o such_o warrant_v as_o during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o office_n they_o shall_v receive_v from_o the_o treasurer_n and_o receiver_n general_n of_o this_o province_n duty_n penalty_n on_o assessor_n that_o shall_v neglect_v their_o duty_n pursuant_n to_o any_o act_n or_o act_n to_o be_v make_v and_o pass_v by_o the_o great_a and_o general_a court_n or_o assembly_n of_o the_o same_o for_o the_o assess_n and_o apportion_v any_o province_n rate_v or_o tax_n upon_o the_o inhabitant_n or_o estate_n within_o the_o town_n whereof_o they_o be_v assessor_n on_o pain_n that_o the_o assessor_n of_o any_o town_n or_o precinct_n fail_v of_o their_o duty_n by_o such_o warrant_n of_o the_o treasurer_n of_o they_o require_v shall_v forfeit_v and_o pay_v the_o full_a sum_n and_o sum_n in_o such_o warrant_n mention_v to_o be_v by_o they_o assess_v upon_o the_o inhabitant_n or_o estate_n of_o the_o town_n or_o precinct_n whereof_o they_o be_v assessor_n if_o the_o say_a sum_n and_o sum_n be_v therein_o make_v certain_a which_o shall_v be_v levy_v by_o distress_n and_o sale_n of_o the_o estate_n real_a or_o personal_a of_o such_o defective_a assessor_n by_o warrant_n from_o the_o treasurer_n direct_v to_o the_o sheriff_n or_o marshal_n of_o the_o county_n in_o which_o such_o town_n or_o precinct_n lie_v and_o the_o treasurer_n be_v hereby_o authorize_v and_o require_v in_o such_o case_n ex_fw-la officio_fw-la to_o issue_n his_o warrant_n require_v the_o sheriff_n or_o marshal_n to_o levy_v the_o say_a sum_n and_o sum_n according_o and_o for_o want_v of_o estate_n to_o take_v the_o body_n of_o such_o defective_a assessor_n and_o to_o imprison_v they_o until_o they_o pay_v the_o same_o which_o warrant_v the_o sheriff_n or_o marshal_n be_v hereby_o empower_v and_o require_v to_o execute_v according_o provide_v nevertheless_o and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o if_o the_o sum_n to_o be_v pay_v by_o any_o town_n or_o precinct_n to_o any_o province_n rate_v or_o tax_n be_v not_o make_v certain_a by_o the_o general_n assembly_n then_o and_o in_o such_o case_n any_o assessor_n fail_v as_o aforesaid_a certain_a penalty_n of_o defective_a assessor_n when_o the_o sum_n to_o be_v pay_v by_o any_o town_n to_o a_o tax_n be_v not_o make_v certain_a shall_v forfeit_v and_o pay_v a_o fine_a not_o exceed_v twenty_o pound_n at_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o court_n of_o general_n session_n of_o the_o peace_n in_o the_o same_o county_n be_v thereof_o convict_v before_o say_v court_n at_o the_o suit_n or_o complaint_n of_o the_o treasurer_n and_o receiver_n general_n or_o any_o other_o on_o his_o behalf_n and_o such_o fine_a to_o be_v unto_o his_o majesty_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 court_n before_o who_o such_o conviction_n shall_v be_v shall_v forthwith_o thereupon_o appoint_v other_o meet_a person_n to_o be_v assessor_n of_o such_o rate_n or_o tax_n according_a to_o the_o direction_n contain_v in_o the_o treasurer_n warrant_v issue_v unto_o the_o former_a assessor_n and_o the_o assessor_n which_o shall_v be_v then_o so_o appoint_v by_o say_a court_n shall_v take_v the_o oath_n and_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o duty_n and_o penalty_n as_o the_o former_a assessor_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o if_o any_o person_n or_o person_n shall_v at_o any_o time_n be_v aggrieve_v at_o the_o sum_n or_o sum_n to_o be_v set_v and_o apportion_v upon_o he_o or_o they_o by_o the_o assessor_n of_o any_o town_n or_o precinct_n ease_v person_n overrate_v to_o be_v ease_v and_o shall_v demonstrate_v that_o he_o or_o they_o be_v rate_v more_o
than_o he_o or_o their_o proportion_n with_o other_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n give_v to_o say_a assessor_n to_o the_o sum_n set_v upon_o such_o town_n or_o precinct_n by_o any_o act_n or_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n say_v assessor_n shall_v ease_v he_o or_o they_o so_o aggrieve_v and_o if_o they_o shall_v refuse_v so_o to_o do_v such_o person_n or_o person_n aggrieve_v complain_v unto_o the_o next_o general_n session_n of_o the_o peace_n within_o that_o county_n and_o make_v appear_v that_o he_o or_o they_o be_v assess_v more_o than_o he_o or_o their_o proportion_n as_o aforesaid_a shall_v be_v hear_v and_o relieve_v by_o the_o justice_n in_o say_a session_n and_o shall_v be_v reimburse_v out_o of_o the_o town_n treasury_n so_o much_o as_o the_o say_a justice_n or_o assessor_n respective_o shall_v see_v cause_n to_o abate_v he_o or_o they_o with_o the_o charge_n and_o the_o court_n of_o general_n session_n of_o the_o peace_n be_v empower_v upon_o the_o complaint_n of_o any_o party_n grieve_v to_o require_v the_o assessor_n to_o produce_v the_o list_n of_o their_o assessment_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o all_o county_n and_o town_n rate_n and_o assessment_n shall_v be_v apportion_v by_o the_o select-man_n or_o assessor_n of_o the_o several_a town_n and_o precinct_n within_o this_o province_n year_n town_n &_o county_n rate_n to_o be_v apportion_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n as_o public_a tax_n grant_v the_o same_o year_n upon_o the_o inhabitant_n and_o estate_n within_o the_o same_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n that_o shall_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v prescribe_v and_o set_v by_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n for_o the_o apportion_v and_o assess_v of_o the_o public_a tax_n that_o shall_v be_v grant_v unto_o his_o majesty_n in_o that_o same_o year_n and_o such_o select_a man_n or_o assessor_n shall_v be_v under_o the_o like_a obligation_n of_o the_o oath_n administer_v unto_o they_o for_o make_v of_o the_o public_a tax_n equal_o and_o impartial_o to_o proportion_v such_o county_n or_o town_n assessment_n by_o the_o same_o rule_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o the_o freeholder_n and_o inhabitant_n of_o any_o town_n due_o qualify_v to_o vote_n in_o town_n affair_n may_v if_o they_o see_v cause_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o choose_v assessor_n as_o be_v before_o provide_v assessor_n collector_n of_o public_a tax_n may_v be_v choose_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o the_o assessor_n likewise_o elect_a and_o choose_v a_o meet_a person_n or_o person_n to_o be_v collector_n or_o collector_n of_o the_o public_a rate_n or_o tax_n that_o shall_v be_v assess_v upon_o such_o town_n and_o agree_v what_o sum_n or_o sum_n shall_v be_v allow_v and_o pay_v out_o of_o the_o town_n stock_n unto_o such_o collector_n or_o collector_n for_o he_o or_o their_o service_n therein_o but_o if_o such_o collector_n or_o collector_n so_o to_o be_v choose_v shall_v refuse_v to_o accept_v that_o service_n or_o that_o none_o such_o be_v choose_v then_o the_o constable_n or_o constable_n of_o such_o town_n shall_v collect_v and_o gather_v such_o public_a rate_n or_o tax_n and_o every_o collector_n or_o constable_n shall_v have_v a_o warrant_n from_o the_o treasurer_n and_o receiver_n general_n impowr_v he_o to_o collect_v such_o rate_n or_o tax_n as_o shall_v be_v commit_v to_o he_o to_o collect_v and_o shall_v pay_v in_o the_o same_o according_a to_o the_o direction_n in_o such_o warrant_n and_o in_o case_n of_o any_o constable_n or_o collector_n decease_n before_o his_o perfect_v the_o collection_n of_o any_o public_a assessment_n commit_v to_o he_o decease_n provision_n in_o case_n of_o constable_n or_o collector_n decease_n the_o assessor_n of_o such_o town_n shall_v procure_v and_o appoint_v at_o the_o town_n charge_v some_o other_o fit_a person_n or_o person_n to_o perfect_a the_o same_o collection_n and_o present_v his_o or_o their_o name_n unto_o the_o treasurer_n who_o be_v hereby_o authorize_v and_o require_v to_o enable_v and_o empower_v such_o person_n or_o person_n to_o collect_v the_o same_o by_o grant_v he_o or_o they_o his_o warrant_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enat_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a warrant_n sheriff_z to_o disperse_v the_o treasurer_n warrant_n that_o the_o treasurer_n and_o receiver_n general_n shall_v send_v such_o warrant_n as_o he_o shall_v be_v from_o time_n to_o time_n order_v to_o issue_n for_o the_o assess_n or_o collect_v any_o public_a rate_n or_o tax_n enclose_v to_o the_o sheriff_n or_o marshal_n of_o each_o respective_a county_n who_o be_v require_v immediate_o to_o disperse_v and_o transmit_v the_o same_o unto_o the_o assessor_n constable_n or_o collector_n of_o the_o several_a town_n and_o precinct_n within_o such_o county_n according_a to_o the_o direction_n thereof_o and_o for_o his_o service_n charge_n and_o expense_n therein_o treasury_n to_o be_v pay_v out_o of_o the_o county_n treasury_n shall_v have_v a_o reasonable_a allowance_n order_v he_o by_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o general_a session_n of_o the_o peace_n in_o the_o same_o county_n to_o be_v pay_v out_o of_o the_o county_n treasury_n upon_o his_o lay_v the_o account_n thereof_o before_o they_o and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o if_o any_o person_n or_o person_n shall_v refuse_v to_o pay_v the_o sum_n or_o sum_n whereat_o they_o shall_v be_v assess_v as_o their_o proportion_n to_o any_o public_a rate_n or_o tax_n in_o the_o listen_v commit_v to_o any_o constable_n or_o collector_n under_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o assessor_n of_o such_o town_n or_o of_o the_o major_a part_n of_o they_o etc._n constable_n or_o collector_n empower_v to_o distrein_o in_o case_n etc._n etc._n upon_o demand_n thereof_o make_v by_o the_o say_a constable_n or_o collector_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o warrant_n to_o he_o give_v it_o shall_v and_o may_v be_v lawful_a to_o and_o for_o such_o constable_n or_o collector_n and_o he_o be_v hereby_o authorize_v and_o require_v in_o such_o case_n to_o distrein_o the_o person_n or_o person_n so_o refuse_v by_o his_o or_o their_o good_n or_o chattel_n and_o the_o distress_n or_o distress_n so_o take_v to_o keep_v by_o the_o space_n of_o four_o dayss_n at_o the_o cost_n and_o charge_n of_o the_o owner_n thereof_o and_o if_o the_o say_a owner_n do_v not_o pay_v the_o sum_n and_o sum_n of_o money_n so_o assess_v upon_o he_o within_o the_o say_v four_o day_n than_o the_o say_a distress_n or_o distress_n to_o be_v forthwith_o open_o sell_v at_o a_o outery_n by_o the_o say_a officer_n for_o payment_n of_o the_o say_a money_n outery_n distress_n to_o be_v sell_v by_o outery_n notice_n of_o such_o sale_n be_v post_v up_o in_o some_o public_a place_n in_o the_o same_o town_n twenty_o four_o hour_n be_v before_o hand_n and_o the_o over_o plus_fw-fr come_v by_o the_o say_a sale_n if_o any_o be_v over_o and_o above_o the_o charge_n of_o take_v and_o keep_v the_o say_a distress_n or_o distress_n to_o be_v immediate_o restore_v to_o the_o owner_n and_o if_o any_o person_n or_o person_n assess_v as_o aforesaid_a shall_v refuse_v or_o neglect_v to_o pay_v the_o sum_n or_o sum_n so_o assess_v distrein_o person_n to_o be_v commit_v not_o have_v whereof_o to_o distrein_o by_o the_o space_n of_o twelve_o day_n after_o demand_v thereof_o where_o no_o sufficient_a distress_n can_v or_o may_v be_v find_v whereby_o the_o same_o may_v be_v levy_v in_o every_o such_o case_n two_o or_o more_o of_o the_o assessor_n in_o such_o town_n be_v hereby_o authorize_v by_o warrant_n under_o their_o hand_n and_o seal_n to_o commit_v such_o person_n or_o person_n to_o the_o common_a goal_n there_o to_o be_v keep_v without_o bail_n or_o mainprize_n until_o payment_n shall_v be_v make_v and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o where_o any_o person_n or_o person_n shall_v remove_v from_o any_o town_n or_o place_n where_o he_o or_o they_o live_v other_o person_n remove_v from_o the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v assess_v may_v be_v take_v in_o any_o other_o or_o have_v he_o or_o their_o residence_n at_o the_o time_n of_o make_v the_o list_n of_o any_o public_a tax_n or_o assessment_n not_o have_v before_o pay_v the_o respective_a sum_n or_o sum_n set_v upon_o he_o or_o they_o by_o such_o list_n it_o shall_v and_o may_v be_v lawful_a to_o and_o for_o the_o constable_n or_o collector_n to_o who_o any_o such_o tax_n or_o assessment_n shall_v be_v commit_v with_o warrant_n to_o collect_v and_o he_o be_v hereby_o authorize_v and_o empower_v to_o demand_v the_o sum_n or_o sum_n assess_v upon_o such_o person_n or_o person_n in_o what_o town_n or_o place_n soever_o he_o or_o they_o may_v be_v find_v and_o upon_o refusal_n or_o neglect_n to_o pay_v
due_o return_v shall_v remove_v or_o go_v out_o of_o the_o province_n and_o not_o attend_v the_o service_n as_o require_v such_o person_n at_o his_o return_n shall_v be_v apprehend_v by_o warrant_n from_o any_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o be_v by_o he_o commit_v to_o prison_n unless_o such_o person_n give_v sufficient_a security_n to_o answer_v it_o at_o the_o next_o general_n session_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o upon_o due_a conviction_n of_o the_o say_a offence_n by_o the_o oath_n of_o he_o that_o impress_v he_o shall_v suffer_v three_o month_n imprisonment_n impress_v penalty_n on_o person_n that_o remove_v after_o be_v impress_v and_o before_o he_o be_v release_v shall_v also_o pay_v a_o fine_a of_o ten_o pound_n to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o company_n or_o troop_n whereto_o he_o belong_v at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o impress_n and_o if_o any_o person_n direct_o or_o indirect_o by_o counsel_n or_o otherwise_o shall_v prevent_v the_o impress_v conceal_v any_o person_n impress_v or_o know_o further_o his_o escape_n such_o person_n shall_v pay_v as_o a_o fine_a forty_o shilling_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a pay_n time_n of_o soldier_n pay_n that_o all_o soldier_n shall_v be_v in_o pay_n from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o be_v impress_v or_o detach_v till_o they_o be_v orderly_o discharge_v and_o have_v reasonable_a time_n allow_v they_o to_o repair_v to_o their_o usual_a place_n of_o abode_n and_o if_o any_o captain_n or_o other_o chief_a officer_n shall_v dismiss_v any_o soldier_n retain_v in_o his_o majesty_n service_n and_o assume_v another_o for_o gain_n gain_n penalty_n for_o dismiss_v any_o soldier_n and_o assume_v another_o for_o gain_n such_o captain_n or_o other_o chief_a officer_n shall_v forfeit_v the_o sum_n of_o twenty_o pound_n to_o be_v recover_v and_o dispose_v of_o in_o manner_n as_o be_v before_o provide_v for_o the_o fine_a or_o penalty_n on_o officer_n neglect_v to_o execute_v warrant_n for_o impress_v of_o soldier_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o all_o such_o soldier_n and_o seaman_n that_o have_v be_v wound_v in_o his_o majesty_n service_n within_o this_o province_n and_o be_v thereby_o maim_a or_o otherwise_o disable_v pension_n pension_n and_o have_v yearly_a pension_n heretofore_o allow_v they_o shall_v have_v the_o continuance_n of_o the_o same_o during_o their_o abode_n in_o this_o province_n to_o be_v pay_v they_o out_o of_o the_o public_a treasury_n and_o all_o such_o soldier_n and_o seaman_n as_o at_o any_o time_n hereafter_o shall_v be_v maim_a or_o otherwise_o disable_v by_o any_o wound_n to_o be_v receive_v in_o his_o majesty_n service_n within_o this_o province_n shall_v be_v relieve_v out_o of_o the_o public_a treasury_n as_o the_o great_a and_o general_a court_n or_o assembly_n shall_v order_n and_o if_o any_o soldier_n shall_v lose_v his_o arm_n in_o his_o majesty_n service_n not_o through_o his_o own_o neglect_n or_o default_n such_o loss_n shall_v be_v bear_v by_o the_o public_a arms._n loss_n of_o arms._n and_o in_o case_n any_o soldier_n be_v furnish_v with_o arm_n for_o any_o expedition_n in_o say_a service_n he_o shall_v allow_v out_o of_o his_o wage_n four_o pence_n per_n week_n for_o the_o same_o and_o return_v such_o arm_n or_o otherwise_o pay_v the_o value_n thereof_o provide_v that_o this_o act_n shall_v continue_v in_o force_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o session_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n to_o be_v begin_v and_o hold_v on_o the_o last_o wednesday_n in_o may_n which_o will_v be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n one_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o and_o one_o and_o no_o long_o a_o act_n against_o deserter_n for_o the_o better_a prevent_v of_o soldier_n or_o mariner_n departure_n from_o their_o captain_n or_o commander_n without_o leave_n or_o desert_v his_o majesty_n service_n be_v it_o enact_v and_o declare_v by_o his_o excellency_n the_o governor_n by_o and_o with_o the_o advice_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o council_n service_n penalty_n for_o desert_v his_o majesty_n service_n and_o representative_n in_o general_a court_n assemble_v and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o that_o no_o soldier_n or_o mariner_n retain_v in_o his_o majesty_n service_n and_o bear_v in_o his_o majesty_n pay_n in_o garrison_n or_o elsewhere_o by_o sea_n or_o land_n shall_v depart_v without_o licence_n of_o his_o commander_n and_o desert_n his_o majesty_n service_n on_o pain_n of_o be_v proceed_v against_o as_o a_o felon_n and_o shall_v suffer_v the_o pain_n of_o death_n or_o some_o other_o grievous_a punishment_n at_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o court_n before_o who_o the_o trial_n shall_v be_v and_o every_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n within_o his_o precinct_n try_v how_o deserter_n shall_v be_v try_v be_v hereby_o authorize_v and_o require_v to_o cause_v all_o such_o deserter_n or_o runaway_n soldier_n or_o mariner_n which_o he_o shall_v know_v or_o be_v inform_v of_o to_o be_v apprehend_v and_o secure_v in_o order_n to_o a_o trial_n at_o the_o next_o assize_n to_o be_v hold_v for_o the_o same_o county_n where_o they_o shall_v be_v take_v or_o at_o a_o court_n of_o oyer_n and_o terminer_n by_o commissioner_n to_o be_v special_o appoint_v and_o empower_v for_o that_o purpose_n a_o act_n for_o punish_v of_o officer_n or_o soldier_n who_o shall_v mutiny_n or_o desert_n his_o majesty_n service_n whereas_o the_o raise_v and_o levy_v of_o force_n be_v necessary_a in_o time_n of_o actual_a war_n or_o common_a danger_n by_o insurrection_n or_o rebellion_n for_o the_o safety_n and_o defence_n of_o this_o province_n and_o of_o his_o majesty_n subject_n and_o interest_n therein_o and_o in_o the_o neighbour_a province_n or_o colony_n and_o whereas_o no_o man_n may_v be_v forejudge_v of_o life_n or_o limb_n or_o subject_v to_o any_o kind_n of_o punishment_n by_o martial_a law_n or_o in_o any_o other_o manner_n than_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o his_o peer_n and_o according_a to_o the_o know_a and_o establish_v law_n of_o the_o province_n yet_o nevertheless_o it_o be_v requisite_a for_o retain_v such_o force_n as_o shall_v be_v raise_v for_o his_o majesty_n service_n on_o occasion_n as_o before_o mention_v in_o their_o duty_n that_o a_o exact_a discipline_n be_v observe_v and_o that_o soldier_n who_o shall_v mutiny_n or_o stir_v up_o sedition_n or_o shall_v desert_n his_o majesty_n service_n be_v bring_v to_o a_o more_o exemplary_a and_o speedy_a punishment_n than_o the_o usual_a form_n of_o law_n will_v allow_v be_v it_o therefore_o enact_v by_o his_o excellency_n the_o governor_n punish_v officer_n or_o soldier_n exciting_a or_o join_v in_o mutiny_n or_o sedition_n or_o desert_v the_o service_n how_o to_o be_v punish_v by_o and_o with_o the_o advice_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o council_n and_o representatives_n in_o general_a court_n assemble_v and_o it_o be_v declare_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o that_o every_o person_n that_o shall_v be_v in_o his_o majesty_n service_n be_v mustered_n and_o in_o pay_n as_o a_o officer_n or_o soldier_n who_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n during_o the_o continuance_n of_o this_o act_n excite_v cause_n or_o join_v in_o any_o mutiny_n or_o sedition_n in_o the_o army_n fortress_n or_o garrison_n whereto_o such_o officer_n or_o soldier_n belong_v or_o shall_v desert_v his_o majesty_n service_n in_o the_o army_n fortress_n or_o garrison_n shall_v suffer_v death_n or_o such_o other_o punishment_n as_o by_o a_o court_n martial_n shall_v be_v inflict_v martial_a captain_n general_n or_o commander_n in_o chief_a of_o the_o province_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o council_n to_o grant_v commission_n for_o court_n martial_a and_o it_o be_v hereby_o further_o enact_v and_o declare_v that_o the_o captain_n general_n or_o commander_n in_o chief_a of_o this_o province_n for_o the_o time_n be_v may_v by_o virtue_n of_o this_o act_n and_o during_o the_o continuance_n thereof_o have_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n by_o and_o with_o the_o advice_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o council_n to_o grant_v commission_n to_o any_o colonel_n or_o other_o field_n officer_n in_o his_o majesty_n service_n and_o under_o pay_n from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o call_v and_o assemble_v court_n martial_a for_o punish_v such_o offence_n as_o aforesaid_a and_o it_o be_v hereby_o further_o enact_v and_o declare_v that_o no_o court_n martial_a which_o shall_v have_v power_n to_o inflict_v any_o punishment_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o act_n for_o any_o of_o the_o offence_n aforesaid_a shall_v consist_v of_o few_o than_o eleven_o court._n constitution_n of_o such_o court._n whereof_o none_o to_o be_v under_o the_o degree_n of_o a_o commission_n officer_n and_o the_o president_n of_o such_o court_n martial_a not_o to_o be_v under_o the_o degree_n of_o a_o field_n officer_n witness_n power_n to_o swear_v witness_n or_o the_o then_o commander_n in_o chief_a of_o