iv Letter of Transmission.

" In my judgment, it is some defect even in the best writers of history, that
they do not often enough summarily deliver and set down the most memorable
laws that passed in the times whereof they writ, being indeed the principal acts
of peace." To the end that this reproach may be removed, as far as writers
upon Maryland history are concerned, the materials are provided through
printing of the Acts of the General Assembly in these volumes.

It is a toilsome task to work one's way through the volumes of Proceedings
to the Assembly, but unless such work is successfully prosecuted by students
with a kindly feeling toward the participants in the discussions we cannot have
impartial history. T. R. Glover's words (Christian Tradition, p. 72) are very
true that: " Sine ira et studio is the phrase of Tacitus—yet without anger and
partisanship, but not without sympathy, we must go quietly and slowly about
our work; hurry is fatal in historical study."

The people of Maryland always insisted that England take Lord Bacon's
advice to Buckingham as to colonization: " That the people sent thither be
governed according to the laws of this realm, whereof they are and still must
be subjects." (Spedding's Bacon, II, 161, Am. ed.)

Governor Ogle convened on July 7 the Second Session of the Assembly in
1740 and it continued in Session until July 29. The Assembly was largely
concerned with the details of the expedition to the West Indies and the provi-
sion of the necessary funds for it and reenacted the law regulating Ordinaries
or Taverns. Masters of vessels which carried away the troops were indemni-
fied from any suits which might arise because the soldiers were in debt. Con-
siderable acrimony arose between the houses as to the appointment of officers
to pay the charges for the expedition. The Upper House desired to have
Tasker excused and objected to Dr. Carroll, as a recent convert from the
Roman Catholic Church, but finally yielded on both points. The right of the
Proprietary to Ordinary Licenses also caused contention. The first draft of
the bill had been prepared by the Upper House, was passed by that body and
sent to the Lower House, which resented this proceeding, as an infringement
of its right to introduce money bills. In the recrimination about Dr. Carroll,
the Upper House (page 19) made some interesting remarks about the hostility
of the Irish towards England. When the bill was finally passed, the Upper
House asked the Lower to join it in a congratulatory address to the King. The
Lower House refused to do this; but pettishly sent its own address, because the
Upper House refused to pass promptly some bills much desired by the Lower
House.

Chalmers, in his Introduction to the " History of the Revolt in the Colonies "
(vol. II, p. 203), spoke of Maryland's generosity in King George's War and of
her sending her sons to conquer the Spaniards.