Committee to whom the Memorial of the Vestry of St. Philip' s Parish was referred

Page v3:34

Mr. Hall reported from the Committee to whom the Memorial of the Vestry of St. Philip' s Parish was referred. And he read the Report in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the Clerk' s table, where the same was read, and is as followeth:

"That by inquiring, they find the annual expense of maintaining the poor of Charles-Town to be about fourteen thousand pounds currency; that the Vestry of St. Philip' s Parish, who have that trust reposed in them, have been under the necessity of borrowing the sum of six thousand pounds towards supporting the said poor of Charles-Town, exclusive of what this House have already lent them, both which sums are expended and many accounts now unpaid; that it is at present impracticable to assess the inhabitants of Charles-Town for a poor-tax, the time limited by law being expired, and the removal of so many of them from town would, if it were practicable, make the tax so heavy upon those who had virtue enough to remain in town during the time of trial and danger, as to render the burthen intolerable, and by no means equitable. Your Committee, therefore, recommend that this House do lend the Vestry of St. Philip' s a sum not exceeding fourteen thousand pounds currency, whereby they may be enabled to pay off the debt they have contracted, and to support the poor until a just and equitable tax may be levied by order of this House."

Ordered, That the Report be taken into consideration to-morrow.