(15) 
     
    
   
   
    
     CHAPTER III. 
     
    
   
   
    
     EGISLATIVE TOPICS.—l773 T01831. 
     
    
   
   
    
     GOVERNOR PATTERSON TO LIEUT. GOVERNOR READY. 
     
    
   
   
    
        
     
       
     
    
   
   
    
     THE first business of the Legislature, when it met 
     
     for the first time in 1773, was, as might be expected, 
     
     a confirmation of the proceedings of the Governor 
     
     and Council, antecedent to calling a House together. 
     
     This was followed by an Act to make valid in law 
     
     process and proceedings in the Law Courts, and this 
     
     confirmation reached as far back as the first of May, 
     
     one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine. The 
     
     times and places of holding the Supreme Court of 
     
     Judicature were established, and an authority issued 
     
     for the record and publication of all the Laws. This 
     
     done, a remedy appears to have been sought against 
     
     the fraudulent habit of raising money on uncertain 
     
     bills of exchange; and it is singular to notice the 
     
     different damages “ascertained;” foreign bills of 
     
     exchange were subject to ten per cent. damages on 
     
     protest; but bills drawn on other colonies, to only 
     
     five per cent. damages; that is to say, where the 
     
     greater facility of collection existed, the more dama- 
     
     ges were laid on. A lot of minor troubles appear to 
     
     have agitated the ‘ collective wisdom’ of the Island 
     
     at this time, and we can fancy boats aground in 
     
     ’ rivers and creeks, in consequence of the discharge 
     
     ofballast,and considerable irritation caused thereby; 
     
     but not only from this cause, but from brush and 
     
     . rubbish upon the lands, small bushes, rotten wind- 
     
     , falls, and decayed leaves, all of which were at this 
     
     { time, subjects of legislation. They conferred upon 
     
     {the Governor the power of making public roads, 
     
     l scrutinise jurors, brought criminal offenders to trial 
     
     E and prohibited masters of ships from letting any one 
     
     ‘ slip away from them without a Pass. Small debts 
     
    

    
     and rum appear to have been hyphened together, as