464 Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 16-Oct. 2, 1696.

U. H. J.

The aforesaid severall Proposalls were sent down to the
House by the Clerk of this Board who returns and says he
delivered it

October the 2^d 1696 The Council again sate and were
Present as before

Brought from the House of Burgesses by Major Dent and
several other members a Certain Instrument drawn up in rela-
tion to quieting the minds of the people together with several
Resolves of the House Viz^t

To all his Majestys Loving Subjects in Maryland

Because it may be Suggested by many evil minded persons
Enemies to his Majestys Government and the peace and tran-
quillity of his loving Subjects that the frequent Assemblies
that of late have been called hath and may be a burthen to
the good People of this province and that the money and
Tobacco raised hath been misemployed or wasted for pre-
servation whereof and quieting the minds of all his Majestys
Loving Subjects it is hereby declared by his Excellency the
Governor Council and Burgesses of this General Assembly
that when his Excellency came first in this province the pub-
lick was much in Arrears to several Persons both in money
and Tobacco which did necessiate in Effect the calling
Assemblys, the laying some duties on merchandize to pay the
publick debts rather then lay the Burthen thereof on the
people together with the building a Court House which God
be thanked is now near finished and quite paid for together
with all other publick debts & the Country in a small time
likely to have something in Bank and we do declare that the
money that has been raised has been duly applyed to the uses
it was raised for viz^t for & towards building the Court House
and Free School House which we conceive to be for the Ser-
vice of God his Majesty and good of the Country and that we
hope the Country being Clear of debt and all things setled
upon good foundations there will be no occasion of calling
another Assembly this twelvemonth which his Excellency
assures us he will not convene or call together without an
Absolute necessity
Signed p Order W Bladen Clk assembly

October 2^d 1696

Assented to by his Excellency and his Majestys honourable
Council if the Remarks thereon be complied with
Hen Denton Clk Council