Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 20-Oct. 18, 1694. 71

Hutchins & Cap^t Thompson whoe say that they haue brought
several! Bills which haue been Read both in the House of
Burgesses & here & that the severall Amendm^ts Recomended
are made & soe they proceeded to Engrossing the same &
haue since again been Read & passed the houses Assent, and
are now presented for the Assent of their Maj'^ies Hono^ble
Covncill.
Read an Answer of the House of Burgesses to a certain
Address made by the Major, Recorder, Aldermen & Comon
Covncill Men to his Ex^ncy in Covncill about Removeing the
provinciall Court from S^nt Maryes, which said Address and
Answer is as follows Viz^t

To his Ex^ncy ffrancis Nicholson Esq^r Cap^t Gen^ll and Gov^r in
Chiefe in & over this their Maj'^ies Province and territory
of Maryland.

Original
Journal.

The Humble Address of the Mayo^r Recorder Aldermen
Common Councill men and ffreemen of the City of Sn^t Maries
in the said province.
And principally from the bottom of their hearts they congratu-
late your Ex^ncys happy accession to this your Governm^t and
sincerely pray for your peaceable and quiett enjoym^t thereof
and long & prosperous continuance therein for the glory of
God their Maj^ties Service the Good and benefitt of their Sub-
jects and your owne particular comfort and Satisfaction,
ffrom whence they proceed humbly to Supplicate y^r Ex^ncies
grace and flavour in granting and Continving to them their
antient franchises rights & priviledges granted them by their
Charter with such other benefitts and advantages as hath been
accustomed and usually allowed and from time to time con-
firmed to them by y^r p^rdecesso^rs Governo^rs and Rulors of this
province humbly Offering and proposeing to y^r Ex^ncyes these
following reasons as motives induceing therevnto (Viz^t)

Imp^rs As that it was the prime and originall Settlem^t of
this Province and from the first Seateing thereof for aboue
Sixty yeares hath been the Antient and Chiefe Seate of
Governm^t
2 In consideracon whereof the Lord Baltemore by his
Lett^rs pattents did incorporate and constitute the same a City
w^th Severall immunityes rights benefitts and priviledges there-
unto belonging abouc and beyond all other parts and places
of the province.
3 The Scituation in it Selfe is most pleasant & heathfull
and naturally commodious in all Respects for the purpose,
being plentifully and well watered with good and wholesome
Springs almost encompassed round with Harbour for Ship-

p. 52