304 Assembly Proceedings, April yy-May 14, 1696.

U. H. J.

Lots may have other Land therefore in some part of the
Town.
Signed p Order
W Bladen Clk Assembly

Brought from the House of Burgesses by Captain Tasker
and several other members the following Message Viz^t

By the House of Burgesses May the 4^th 1696.

This House does highly resent and are much Agrieved to
see their Priviledges so unexpectedly intrenched upon by the
honble his Majestys Council as appears by a late Paper affixed
to the door of the House of Assembly at a publick meeting
upon the Sabbath day in which they endeavour to debar
them of that right which is due to the meanest and Inferior
Court of this Province to wit Privacy and uninterruption
and more especially since this House Considering the
present Inconveniences have never debarred the Clerks from
their Office further then in Prudence and our duty to his Maj-
estys Service required and therefore humbly desire the said
Paper in which our rights and Priviledges are so trampled
upon may not remain upon the Journal of the honble Council
for as we shall endeavour to the whole World to Give an
ample Testimony of our Duty and Affection to his Excellency
and the honble Council so likewise to preserve the rights and

p. 869

Priviledges we are Intrusted with as Representatives of his
Majestys Loyal and dutiful Subjects of this Province
Signed p Order
W Bladen Clk Assembly

Ordered that an Answer to the same be drawn up to be
sent which was done as follows viz^t

By his Excellency the Governor and Council &c

May the 4^th 1696

The Message by Captain Tasker and several other of the
House Assembly sent has been here read and Considered in
answer whereto his Excellency is pleased to declare that by
the Order of Council of the first of May Instant relating to the
Clerks and other Persons having Recourse to the Offices &c
it was not intended that the Priviledges of the House should
be any ways Encroached upon neither does this Board take it
to be any Breach at all but on the Contrary do hold it to be
a Breach of Magna Charta and of the Liberties of the People
that the Kings Offices should be shut up especially Consider-