414 Assembly Proceedings, July 1-10, 1696.

Original
Journal.

A Bill for reviving the Temporary Lawes of this province.
A Bill for repealing a certain Law ag^t Strikeing of fish in
Dorchester and Somerset Countys.
A Bill for assessing the publiq^c charge of this province.
Where being admitted and presenting the said Bills his
Ex^cy was pleased on his Ma^tys behalfe to assent thereunto and
signe the Same and they were accordingly sealed with the
broad seale of this province. After which his Ex^cy acquainted
them that he was sorry to find that they could not agree upon
passing the Bill for Religion as proposed, telling them that he
was given to understand that his Ma^ty would not assent to any
law that contayned two things of different natures as this did,
to witt Spirituall or Eclesiasticall and temporall. That if the
Bill be passed as now penned it would occasion them to carry
their causes to Westminster the which intollerable inconve-
niences could not be avoyded.
That he hoped none could be so absurd as to doubt of his
royall Ma^tys Justice, who ventured his life in coming over to
England to defend their Rights and Libertys, and was at this
present actually engaged in the same Quarrell.
That as for himselfe he desired them freely to speake if he
had any ways infringed or broake in upon any of their Rights
and priviledges; and advised them if there was any occasion

p. 13

of a future confirmation thereof that they should address his
Ma^ty for a Declaratory act for the passing whereof he would
use his Interest.
That true it was confest that they had been instrumental in
Making Severall good Laws, but if so be they left those for
Religion unfinished they had begun an unperfect piece of
worke. Therefore prorogued them until the [ninth] instant.

Thursday [July the 9^th] 1696
The House according to prorogation last night being inst.

Major Thompson and M^r Helmsley sent to acquaint his
Ex^cy the house is met according to prorogation last night, who
return and say they delivered their message, and that his
Ex^cy was ready to receive the house when they thinke fitt to
come up.
Whereupon the house adjourned for an hour, and went up
to the Councill to attend upon his Ex^cy where being admitted
his Ex^cy thus bespoake them.
That what he had to recommend to them was a Bill lying
before the house for the Establishing of the protestant Religion,
which Bill as it is now penned conteyns two different things,
and his Ma^ty has declared he will not pass any Bill conteyning