_Y_. What are those Words you mention?
_X_. Here is the Act itself, I'll read that Part of it. ``From
and after the Publication of this Act, it shall and may be lawful for
the Freemen of this Province to form themselves into Companies, _as
heretofore they have used in time of War without Law_, and for each
Company, by Majority of Votes, in the Way of Ballot, to chuse its own
Officers, _&c_." The Words I meant are these, _as heretofore they
have used in Time of War_. Now I suppose we have none of us forgot
the Association in the Time of the last War; 'tis not so long since,
but that we may well enough remember the Method we took to form
ourselves into Companies, chuse our Officers, and present them to the
Governor for Approbation and Commissions; and the Act in question
says plainly, we may now _lawfully do_ in this Affair, what we then
did _without Law_.
_Y_. I did not before take so much Notice of those Words, but
to be sure the Thing is easy enough; for I remember very well how we
managed at that Time; and indeed 'tis easier to effect it now than it
was then: For the Companies and Regiments, and their Districts, _&c_.
were then all to form and settle; but now, why may not the Officers
of the old Companies call the old Associators together, with such
others in the District of each Company as incline to be concerned,
and proceed immediately to a new Choice by Virtue of the Act? Other
new Companies may in other Places be formed as the associated
Companies were.
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