They believed that a sufficient appropriation could be made at another time, when suggested by exigencies, and that the bill would be a proper subject for immediate legislation with the omission of the extra grant. 1 It is apparent that the arguments did not appeal to the senate, as the act retained the grant of three thousand pounds. The committee for inquiring what laws were expired or near expiring apprised the senate, on September 2, 1779,

that the expiration of the commissioners for conspiracies was close at hand, and recommended their continuance. Accordingly a bill was introduced at once; was amended in and body, engrossed, and passed the senate on the 8th. title

On the following day in the assembly, whither it was referred for concurrence, a motion was made to reject it, but failed of passage. Yet again, in the committee of the whole house, Egbert Benson sought to have the last recital and clause expunged, and this was also defeated, only five other assemblymen standing with him. However, an amendment made in assembly was accepted by the senate. When the bill reached the council of revision, they objected, " because it appears from the Preamble, that the Laws, by the said Bill intended to be continued, are already expired by their own Limitation; and the enacting Clause containing no Words of Revival or Re-enaction, the whole Law becomes nugatory, as that cannot be continued which does not exist." Whereupon, a bill to meet this criticism was introduced and became law Senate Votes. Fish-Kill: Samuel Loudon, 1777, pp. 172, 175-6.