An ACT for Regulating the Assize of Cask, and preventing Deceit in packing Beef, Pork, and Fish for S•le.

BE IT ENACTED by the General Assembly, and by the Authority of the same, it is Enacted,* That henceforth all Barrels and Half Barrels made in this Colony, shall be of the Assize following, viz. Barrels Thirty One Gallons and an Half. Half B•rrels Fifteen Gallons and three Quarts, and be made of good, sound, and well-seasoned Timber.

AND that every Cooper making such Cask, shall set his Brand-Mark on the same, with the two first Letters of his N•me.

AND that all Barrels and Half Barrels more than a Gallon under the Assize aforesaid, shall be forfeited,* one Moiety there|of to the Informer, and the other Moiety to and for the Use of the Poor of such Town where the same shall be seized, to be paid to the Town Treasurer, for the Use aforesaid.

AND be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all Cask, containing either Beef, Pork, or Fish, before it be expos•d to sale,* be duly viewed and examined by a sworn Packer of this Colony, who is carefully to see that the same be good and merchantable, and well packed, b•fore he shall set his Mark ther••n.

Page  158AND be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That in case any Beef, Pork, or Fish, sh•ll be shipped on board any Ship or other Vessel for Exportation,* not having the Packer's Mark thereon, as aforesaid, the Master of such Vessel shall forfeit the Value of such Beef, Pork, or Fish, so shipped; the one Half to the Informer, the other Half to and for the Use of the Colony: To be recovered by Bill, Plaint, or Information, in any Court of Record in this Colony.

AND be it further Enacted by the Authority afore•aid▪ That in case any Tarr,*Cyder, Beer, or other liquid Com|modity, be exposed to sale in this Colony, in any Barrels, or Half Barrels, that are not of the Assize aforesaid, the s•me shall be forf•ited, the one H•lf to the Informer, and the other Half to and for the Use of the Colony; to be recovered 〈◊〉 aforesaid.

AND that any Iustice of the Peace, or Warden, upon Com|plaint or Inf•rmation to him made, shall grant forth his War|rant for seizing and securing the same, to and for the Use afore|said.

AND that this Act be not in Force until three Months after the Rising of this Assembly.