An Act for the more effectual preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony.

April 30, 1757

I. WHEREAS the act of assembly passed in the twenty-ninth year of his present majesty's reign, intituled, An Act for preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony, will expire in September next, and one other act of assembly passed in the same year, intituled. An Act to amend an act, intituled, An Act for preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony, which is already expired, have been found in a great measure ineffectual, by reason of the small reward thereby given for prisoners and scalps, and it is necessary that a greater reward should be given for the same, Be it therefore enacted, by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That the sum of fifteen pounds shall be paid by the treasurer of this colony out of the public money in his hands to any person or persons, party or parties, either in the pay of this colony or other the inhabitants thereof, or to any Indian or Indians, in friendship and amity with the inhabitants of this colony, for every Indian enemy by him or them taken prisoner within the limits of this colony, and the sum of ten pounds for every such enemy by him or them killed or destroyed within the limits aforesaid, at any time within the space of two years after the passing of this act. And to entitle persons to the said rewards,

II. Be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That every Indian enemy so to be taken prisoner, shall be delivered to the keeper of the public goal in the city of Williamsburg, to be by him safely kept until discharged by the governor or commander in chief of this colony; and the scalp of every Indian enemy so to be killed or destroyed as aforesaid, shall be produced to the governor or commander in chief before whom the person or persons, not being an Indian or Indians, so taken prisoner, killing or destroying such Indian enemy, shall prove by affidavits or his or their oath, the time and place of his or their performing the same; and in the case of Indians, sufficient satisfaction of the time and place of the taking prisoner, killing or destroying such Indian enemy shall be given to the governor or commander in chief: And in any of the said cases the governor or commander in chief is here. by desired to issue his warrant to the treasurer, for the payment of the said rewards to the person or persons so entitled to the same.

III. And for a further encouragement to persons to enter into and risque their lives in the service and defence of the country, Be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That for every Indian enemy so to be taken prisoner, killed or destroyed, within the time and limits aforesaid, the further reward of thirty pounds shall be allowed to the person or persons, party or parties, performing such service, which allowance to persons in the pay of this colony, or other the inhabitants thereof, shall be made by the next succeeding session of assembly, upon a certificate of the governor or commander in chief, that sufficient proof of the performance of such service had been trade before him according to the directions of this act: And where such service shall be performed by any Indian or Indians, in friendship and amity with the inhabitants of this colony, the governor or commander in chief upon sufficient satisfaction to him given according to the directions of this act of the performance of such service, is hereby desired forthwith to give orders for supplying the Indian or Indians so entitled to the said last mentioned reward with goods to be paid for by the public at the next succeeding session of assembly to the amount of the sum he or they shall be so entitled to.

IV. Provided always, That in case the present hostilities shall cease within the said two years, and the governor or commander in chief of this colony, by and with the advice and consent of the council, shall by proclamation signify the same, and direct the said rewards to be discontinued, then the said rewards shall immediately after publishing the said proclamation cease and be discontinued accordingly.

V. And for preserving the lives and friendship of such Indians as are under the protection of, or in alliance with his majesty, Be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall within the said two years knowingly and willingly kill or destroy any Indian in alliance, peace and friendship with his majesty, and his subjects in this colony, the person or persons so offending shall be adjudged a felon and shall suffer as in cases of felony, without benefit of clergy.

VI, And be further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That from and immediately after the passing of this act the said recited act of assembly, intituled, An Act for preventing and repelling the hostile incursions of the Indians at enmity with the inhabitants of this colony, shall be and the same is hereby repealed.