The Journal of the Commons House of Assembly

252 COMMONS JOURNAL, NOVEMBER 20, 1758–DECEMBER 14, 1758granted for that Service, and other Papers relating thereto, and had directed himto report the same, as it appeared to them, to the House, and He read the Reportin his Place, and afterward delivered it in at the Clerk’s Table, where thesame was read, and is as follows (Vizt.)1. That it appears to Your Committee from the Treasurer’s said Accountsthat out of the Money raised by the last Tax Law, and appropriated to the Paymentof Contingent Services, a Sum of £119:10 hath been paid by Order of HisExcellency the Governor to James Laurens and Company for Stores furnishedfor the Use of the Colony of Georgia.2. That it appears to your Committee from the Journals of this House, thatthe said James Laurens & Company did in the two last preceeding Years deliverin their Account to this House, which after going thro’ the usual Enquiry andExamination was both Years disallowed of and rejected, and a Message sent fromthis House to the Governour in Answer to One from His Excellency, acquaintinghim therewith and their Reasons for so doing.3. That It is the Opinion of your Committee that paying Accounts beforethey have been Audited and agreed to in this House (except Articles for Expressesand other immediate Occasions of Government) may be of hurtful Consequences,as the Right and Authority of this House to judge of the Proprietyand Legality of Demands against the Public may thereby be eluded and abridged,and the Good People of this Province Taxed toward a Service, which may bethought by their Representatives very improper, and that paying such Accountsafter they had undergone the solemn Consideration of the House and beenrejected is unusual, unprecedented and an extraordinary Procedure.4. That it is the Opinion of Your Committee that His Excellency be desiredto apply to the Governor of Georgia for Reimbursement of the said Money, orto take such Other Methods for obtaining the same, as His Excellency shall thinkproper.5. That It is the Opinion of Your Committee the £2000 will be a Sum sufficientto answer the Extra Exigencys of Government for the Year ensuing, as aconsiderable part of the Sum provided the last Year was applied to the Paymentof past Services, and there still remains a Ballance in the Hands of the Treasurer,and therefore recommend so much may be provided for in the next Tax-Law.6. That it is the Opinion of Your Committee that most of the Charges forExpresses to the different Forts in this Province and other Places are very highand Extravagant, more than are paid by private Persons in similar Cases, owing,as Your Committee humbly conceive to the Inability of the Officer whose Businessit is to bargain for such Services.Resolved that this House will now take the said Report into Consideration.The first, Second and third Paragraphs of the Report being severally reada Second time, were severally agreed to by the House.