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Whereas doubts have been entertained whether troops can be
quartered otherwise than in barracks, in case barracks have been provided
sufficient for the quartering of all the officers and soldiers within any town,
township, city, district, or place within His Majesty's dominions in North
America; and whereas it may frequently happen from the situation of such
barracks that, if troops should be quartered therein they would not be
stationed where their presence may be necessary and required: be it therefore
enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and
consent of the Lords ... and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled...
that, in such cases, it shall and may be lawful for the persons who now are, or
may be hereafter, authorized by law, in any of the provinces within His
Majesty's dominions in North America, and they are hereby respectively
authorized, empowered, and directed, on the requisition of the officer who, for
the time being, has the command of His Majesty's forces in North America, to
cause any officers or soldiers in His Majesty's service to be quartered and
billeted in such manner as is now directed by law where no barracks are
provided by the colonies.
II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid
that, if it shall happen at any time that any officers or soldiers in His
Majesty's service shall remain within any of the said colonies without quarters
for the space of twenty-four hours after such quarters shall have been
demanded, it shall and may be lawful for the governor of the province to order
and direct such and so many uninhabited houses, outhouses, barns, or other
buildings as he shall think necessary to be taken (making a reasonable
allowance for the same) and make fit for the reception of such officers and
soldiers, and to put and quarter such officers and soldiers therein for such
time as he shall think proper.
III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid
that this act, and everything herein contained, shall continue and be in force
in all His Majesty's dominions in North America, until March 24, 1776.
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