Assembly Proceedings, Nov. 14-Dec. 8, 1688. 159

Lordship by his Writts of Election hath been pleased to
Express this house being no ways under the Jurisdiction of
any Upper house of Assembly, this house still protesting their
readiness to Attend his Lordship either in his Upper house or
elsewhere when by his Lordship or his Representatives the
Deputy Governors thereunto Commanded
Signed p^r Order William Dent Cl of the Lower house.

Clement Hill Esq^r goes to the Lower house with the follow-
ing Message.

Upper house of Assembly 16th November 1688.
This house have already given the Lower house to under-
stand that his Lordship the Lord Proprietary is always present
in his Upper house of Assembly, and this house do once more
therefore desire that the Lower house their Speaker and Clerk
do forthwith Attend his Lordship in this his Upper house of
Assembly.
Signed p^r Order Thomas Grunwin Cl of Assembly.

The said M^r Clement Hill returns having Delivered his
Message
The Speaker & the Members of the Lower house with their
Clerk Enters this House.
M^r President Spoke to them to the Effect following

Gentlemen We did not think to meet such unexpected Dis-
turbances, the Occasion that We sent for you was upon
Account of the Oath of Fidelity, wherein I am Commanded to
tell you That Fidelity is Allegiance which by the Laws of Eng-
land may be proposed even to the house of Commons in Par-
liament Sitting, and the refusers are Excluded from being
Members or having any Vote in Parliament, as if they never
had bin Elected, and by the Laws of this Province if you be
within the Province you are bound to take the Oath of fidelity

Lib. W. H.

to the Right honble the Lord Proprietary under pain of Ban-
ishment fine and Imprisonment at the Discretion of the Gov-
ernment; And further I am to tell you that the refusing Alle-
giance implyes Rebellion, And that you have no Priviledge to
break Contemn or disobey Laws, wherefore you are desired
to return to your house and Consider of it for that the Gov-
ernment will not permitt this house to proceed to any Busi-
ness whatsoever till you Satisfie the Law & Governm^t in this
point for by how much the more you refuse Allegiance by so
much the more the Government have Cause to Suspect your
Loyalty. So God of his Mercy direct you.

p. 556