The Journal of the Commons House of Assembly

MAY 2, 1760543That the Commissioners of the High Roads neglect rebuilding of thesaid Bridge, partly thro’ want of Unanimity; but principally to a reluctanceof laying any Taxes on, and the difficulty of collecting them in this Parish.For, since the taking of St. Marks Parish out of this of Prince Frederic,the latter is reduced within small compass, and but indifferently settled withsubstantial Inhabitants.Thro’ this delay of the Commissioners, Travellers and others are encumberedwith the Expence and Time of crossing a Ferry to their Loss and inconvenience,as well as prejudice to the Public and all concerned in Trade.The Utility of Bridges in general is self evident; and the necessity of onein particular over this Creek, was lately very apparent, for the Country beingrais’d by a false Alarm of a Party of Indians being on us, had the Reportproved true, those on one side of the Creek must inevitably have been cutoff, before Succours from the other side could have crossed to their Assistance.This Incident so serious and interesting to the Memorialist (who is inTrade, and entrusted with large concerns of the Merchants and Planters)prompted the Memorialist to comply with the Request, and accept of theAssistance and Contributions of sundry Persons, to frame a substantial FloatingBridge capable of sustaining all Horses and Carriages, that at any timemay have occasion to pass over the said Creek.The Memorialist therefore (for the benefit of the Inhabitants and Travellers,and service of the Public in making an Essay how far floating Bridgesmay be eligible in this Country) humbly prays leave of the Legislature, to laythis floating Bridge over the Creek called Black-Mingo, for the space of threeYears only, or till the Peace of the Province be settled, or till the Commissionersof the High-Roads rebuild the Bridge (as they stand obliged by Law)that in case of Alarms or other Accidents, the communication between theadjoining Plantations may be effectually consolidated.The Memorialist has exhibited the Substance of this his request to theCommissioners of the High-Roads for the Parish of Prince Frederic desiringthem to examine his Plea, and to vest him with proper Powers if they hadAuthority. The Majority assented to his Propositions; others were scrupulousand diffident; and as several Objections to the Design were started, and maybe exhibited to the Legislature, and as they may be deemed of some weight,The Memorialist (with the utmost submission and deference to the Judgmentof the Honorable Assembly) begs leave to State, examine and (possibly)obviate them.First, it was urged that this Bridge would be a standing Charge to theParish to keep in repair.(Reply) So are six other Bridges in this Parish, over the whole of whom