Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1647-1648. 189

an influence, of discontent th^t it may ouerwhelme the whole.
S^rs in this there is only difference in the p^rsons of the Gouerno^r
not his L^ps title infringed, nor the peace soe th^t yo^w may be
confident, it may be acted, w^th out euill or the punishment
thereof, w^ch will happily fall on the Opposers. Howsoeu^r
(since S^r Will^m Berkeleys Ires nor my owne, can procure a
priuate right but by Attorney) I haue little hopes to preuaile in
this busines of such concernm^t yett th^t I might giue a fayre
demostraon to the world, & his L^p of all proceedings, I haue
adventured to wright thus much unto yee his Counsell. And
in all freindly loue request yo^r answere. I would to the utter-
most of my power indeauo^r the safety of the prouince under
his L^p If it faile for all th^t I know yee may be blame worthy.

Liber A.

ffor others of humo^rs different from mine, priuately embrace a
parliamentary influence, w^ch may proue fatall to the whole.
Gentⁿ I leave this to yo^r consideration. And rest.
Yo^r very lo: ffreind
Checakone the 20^th of Edw: Hill.
June 1647.

Gentl.
Post script, I haue stopt my returne to Virginia in expectation
of yo^r answere w^eh I hope will bee spedy. And in th^t uery
curtesy I shall rest thankfully yo^rs
Edw: Hill.

Endors. T^O h^ond ffrends M^r Thomas Greene
& Cap^t Giles Brent these p^rsent.

[Answer of Governor Greene.]
S^r
Whereas yo^r uaine claimes of right to this gouerm^t are
grounded uppon this false pretence. That the late Governo^r
being out of the Prouince, & not nominating one in his steed,
The Counsell residing in the Prouince had full power &
authority to elect & chuse yo^r w^ch is euident they had not, as
the words of his L^ps Commisⁿ plainely shew, ffor th^e words of
his L^ps Commis" in breife are these. That in case o^r Leiu^t shall
happen to dye, or be absent out of the Prouince; & shall fayle
to make choyce of some p^rson to be o^r Leiu^t &c: Wee doe
grant to o^r Counsello^rs full power in such case to elect such an
able person, inhabiting & residing w^thin o^r s^d Prouince, w^eh
shall be one of o^r Counsell there. w^ch I presume yo^w are none
of. If yo^w are, wee understand it not as yett. As for yo^r
menacing us w^th dangers & feares, we regard them not, desyr-
ing yo^w in curtesy, if yo^w please, to desist from such unlawfull
wayes. The Gouerm^t is now lawfully instated uppon mee,

p. 69