unds of tobacco; for a marriage by license twenty shillings, or two
hundred pounds of tobacco, and where the banns are proclaimed, only five
shillings, or fifty pounds of tobacco.

When these salaries were granted, the assembly valued tobacco at ten
shillings per hundred; at which rate, the sixteen thousand pounds comes
to fourscore pounds sterling; but in all parishes where the
sweet-scented grows, since the law for appointing agents to view the
tobacco was made, it has generally been sold for double that value, and
never under.

In some parishes, likewise, there are by donation stocks of cattle and
negroes on the glebes, which are also allowed to the minister for his
use and encouragement, he only being accountable for the surrender of
the same value when he leaves the parish.

Sec. 37. For the well governing of these, and all other parochial affairs,
a vestry is appointed in each parish. These vestries consist of twelve
gentlemen of the parish, and were at first chosen by the vote of the
parishioners; but upon the death of any, have been continued by the
survivors electing another in his place. These, in the name of the
parish, make presentation of ministers, and have the sole power of all
parish assessments. They are qualified for this employment by
subscribing, to be conformable to the doctrine and discipline of the
church of England. If there be a minister incumbent, he always presides
in the vestry.

For the ease of the vestry in general, and for discharging the business
of the parish, they choose two from among themselves to be
church-wardens, which must be annually changed, that the burthen may lie
equally upon all. The business of these church-wardens, is to see the
orders and agreements of the vestry performed; to collect all the parish
tobacco, and distribute it to the several claimers; to make up the
accounts of the parish, and to present all profaneness and immorality to
the county courts, and there prosecute it.

By these the tobacco of the minister is collected, and brought to him in
hogsheads convenient for shipping, so that he is at no farther trouble
but to receive it in that condition. This was ordained by the law of the
country, for the ease of the ministers, that so they being delivered
from the trouble of gathering in their dues, may have the more time to
apply themselves to the exercises of their holy function, and live in a
decency suitable to their order. It may here be observed, that the