“An Act for the better securing the city of Philadelphia and its liberties from danger of gunpowder” Act of Dec. 6, 1783, chap. 1059, 11 Pa. Stat. 209 (Sections I and II, P.L.)

(Section I, P.L.) Whereas by an act, entitled “An act for the better securing the city of Philadelphia from danger of gunpowder," passed in the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty-four, and a supplement thereto, passed in the year one thousand seven hundred and forty-seven, continuing the said act in force until altered by a future assembly, it was directed that all gun-powder brought into the port of Philadelphia should be deposited in a certain powder house therein described, under the penalty of ten pounds for every offense: And Whereas another powder house or magazine hath been erected in the said city in the public square on the south side of Vine street, between the Sixth and Seventh streets from Delaware at the public expense: And whereas the said penalty of ten pounds is not deemed sufficient to deter persons from storing large quantities of gunpowder in private houses and stores, to the great danger of the inhabitants: [Section I.] (Section II, P.L) Be it therefore enacted and it is hereby enacted by the Representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, That no person whatsoever, within the precincts of Philadelphia, nor within two miles thereof, shall, from and after the passing of this act, presume to keep in any house, shop or cellar, store or place whatsoever, in the said city, nor within two miles thereof, other than in the said public magazine, any more or greater quantity at any one time than thirty pounds weight of gun-powder, under the penalty of forfeiture of the whole quantity so over and above stored, together with a fine of twenty pounds for every such offense.