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P. R. O.
Colonial
Papers.
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inveterate, malignant, turbulent spirits have cast thereon. And
therefore in the first place, we doe hereby unanimously
acknowledge & publish to the world the general freedom &
priviledge which we and all persons whatsoever Inhabitants of
this Province, of what condicion soever, doe enjoy in our lives,
liberties and estates under this His Lordship's Government
according to the grand priviledges of Magna Charta, as
effectually and in as full & ample manner to all intents &
purposes as any of His Majestie's Subjects within any part of
His Majestie's dominions whatsoever with the free & public
exercise & enjoyment of our religion whatsoever it be, whether
Protestant or other professing the name of Jesus, according to
an Act of Assembly of this Province in that case made out &
provided, and to which we and the whole Province in general
either by ourselves or our representatives in a General Assem-
bly have given our assent. We doe also declare and make
known that besides our owne experience we have observed his
Lordshipp's favours impartially distributed, and Places of
Honor, trust and profit conferred on the most qualified for that
purpose & service without any respect or regard had to the
religion of the participants, of which generally and for the most
part it hath so happened that the Protestants have been the
greatest number, the halfe of His Lordshipp's Council nearest
to his person are Protestants, his late Governor Thomas Notely
Esqre and Benjamin rozer Esqre of his Council also lately
deceased both Protestants, the major part of his Lordshipp's
Comissioners or Justices of the peace in each respective
County within this Province Protestants, those likewise that
have the charge of the Militia of this Province generally or for
the most part Protestants, vizt. Colonel Thomas Tailler, Colonel
Henry Coursey, Colonel William Stevens, Colonel William
Burges, Col: William Colebourne, Colonel Philaemon Lloyd,
Colonel George Wells, Colonel Henry Jowles, and Colonel
Chandler, nine Colonels or principal Officers of the Militia all
Protestants, and but Colonel William Calvert, Colonel Vincent
Lowe, and Colonel Henry Darnell, (when present) onely three
of the romish persuasion Colonels or principal Officers of the
Militia within or belonging to the Province, in like manner all
other Officers & places of Honor or profitt within this Province
civill or military impartially and equally (if not for the most
part on Protestants) conferred. This not only in vindication
of his Lordships honor, and this his Government, but also for
the publick interest of the Province therein concerned, and to
discharge a good conscience, we for ourselves and in the be-
halfe of severall others whom we know (if not the whole Prov-
ince in generall, every individuall person thereof, who we are
confident and do verily believe would (if requested) readily doe
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