The Lower House. 221

already appointed (the Quantity whereof you doe not object

ag^t) might be duly Inflicted. In Vain is it to Proportion
Punishments to Offenders, if the Method of bringing the
offenders to Punishment be rendered Impracticable, as Many
years Experience sufficiently demonstrates this to be.
Gentlemen; We take it that tho' this fine of One hundred
pounds of Tob^o be but small in it Self, yet in the Consequence
of it, the Honour and Safety of our Country is much Con-
cerned. Upon the Due Execution of this Law depends the
whole Regulation of the Militia: for that is the Only Tye upon
them to Obey; and Obedience is Essential to Discipline, and
Discipline to Defence: and even in the Time of the most happy
Tranquility a well Regulated Militia is not only an Honour
but a Preservative of Peace by keeping in awe a Less Dis-
ciplined Neighbour; whereas the Neglect of this is even an
Invitation to others to take Advantage of our not being in a
Posture of Defence.
We take this Opportunity to Acquaint you that Many of
the most Capable Persons have Refused to Accept Com-
missions & those that have are willing to lay them down;
because they are only Called Commanders but have no Legal
Power to induce Obedience.
We likewise Observe that the fine is what you Approve of
and the Judges of it proposed are the same the Present Act

L H. J.

Appoints wherever the party fined pleases to make him so:
for if he Dislikes the Judgment of the Captain, he may then
Complain and have the same Judges which that Law already
Appoints. If he likes the Captains Judgment the Alteration
we propose can be no Grievance to him. To which (if you
Agree) may he Added that no such ffines be Executed for
without the Approbation and Certificate of the Field Officers.
Certainly Gentlemen, should you refuse to Amend this Act
in the Points proposed (which alter not the Substance, but
render the due Execution of it more practicable,) it must be
necessarily understood as the Effect of your Dislike to the
Act it Self and by Consequence a Dislike to any Militia for the
Defence of the Country.
Signed p Order. John Beale Clk Up. Ho

The Petition of John Connaway a Poor Prisoner is Read
and on hearing the Allegations of M^rs Macnemara against
bringing in a Bill,
Leave is given to bring in a Bill as prayed

P. 30