P Adjorn die Jovis scilt 6to die December 1722

Order touching
the takeing of
Recognizances to
& Secure

This Court having taken Notice, that severall Persons who
have been charged before several Justices of the Peace of
this County for receiving of Stolen Goods, Knowing the same
to have been Stolen; for Assaults on women with intent
to Ravish them; and for other hamous and notorious
Offences, and have been bound ever by Recognizances to
appear and answer for the same at the Sessions of Peace
and Sessions of Oyer and Terminer for this County, have
escaped Prosecution for the same, no Evidence having
been given when the Tryals have been brought on upon
the Indictments preferred against them for such Offences
by reason that no Person or Persons have been bound
over by Recognizance to Prosecute such Offenders with
Effect for the Offences aforesaid, which has given an
opportunity to such Offenders to agree and compound
with the Prosecutors for a Sum of Money, and thereby
such Prosecutions have been Stifled, so that the Offence
have escaped receiving consign Punishment for there
Offences, which this Court is of Opinion hath been on
Obstruction of Justice, and a great Omission in such
Justices in not taking Recognizances to Prosecute such
Offenders. Now to the intent that such like Offenders
may for the future be duly Prosecuted for the Offences
by them committed, It is hereby ordered by this Court
that it be and it is hereby recommended and referred
unto the Justices of the Peace for this County, that
where any Person or Persons shall hereafter be
charged before them upon Oath for receiving of Stolen
Goods, Knowing the same to have been stolen, for
Assaults on Women with intent to Ravish them
or for any other hainous or notorious Offence
triable at the Sessions of Peace, or Sessions of Oyer
ar [..] rminer for this County, and for which the said
Justices shall commit such Person or Persons so charged
to Prison for want of Sureties, or find over such Person
or Persons by Recognizance to appear at the then next
Sessions of Peace, or Sessions of Oyer and Terminer to be
holden for this County, to answer for such Offence or