184 Assembly Proceedings, Oct. 20-Nov. 12, 1698.

Original
Journal.

That his Ma^tys Councill had Answered their Address on
behalfe of M^r Clark and that it was his Duty to Vindicate the
hono^r of the Kings Governm^t
That if the house would Appoint a Comittee to write Jour-
nalls that they might write as many as they pleased and send
provided th^t [they] that write them would signe them for that
he looked upon Records Especially the Records of Supream
authority next to the Divine Laws to be sacred and that he
hoped he had shewn his veneration Towards them sufficiently
by his Care in theire Conveyance from S^t Marys and the
p^rservation of them since they have been here and therefore
recomends to the house to make a Severe Law ag^t any p^rson
that shall raze or alter a Record that he is but a sojourner
Amongst us dureing his Ma^tys pleasure but the benifit of such
an Act would devolve to our posterity.
All Rebellions were begun in all Kingdoms and States by
scandalizing and makeing odious the psons in Authority
where they were, Kingdoms by Callumniateing there prince
and Lawfull sovereigne there Comon wealth by Rending
odious the Governm^t and in Colonys where there are Gov^rs by
representing them scandalous as for Instance the late Rebel-
lion in Virg^a by Bacon &c
That he admires this province should Contemne and Slight
the Kings gracious pardon which the Lords and Comons in
parliment of England have so humbly and thankfully of.
He recomends to them that they will proceed both in the
Kings and Countrys business the pticuler Cause for which
they now mett
M^r Speaker and the members depart to the house
The ffollowing Message sent to the house by M^r Attorny
Gen^ll

By his Ma^tys hon^ble Councill &c Nov^r 8^th 1698

Gentⁿ Yo^r Message last night by M^r Sanders & others
which you Call an address has been recomended by his Ex^cy
to our Consideration how Clearly his Ex^cy has aquitted his
Conduct and person from those Impositions so unfairly in-
sinuated we are fully satisfied and so we believe are all
unprejudiced minds and those who are not we shall not be
Carefull to Satisfy but as to your Message It is very true Gen'
the King has Comanded that Journalls as well of the house of

p.37

Delegates as Councill shall be Transmitted to his Ma^ty but this
Comand is Laid by his Ma^ty on his Ex^cy the Govern^r who hath
duly and Constantly pformed the same But if his Ma^ty has
since Laid that Charge on your Speaker or house and to
aquitt his Ex^cy of it pray shew it that obedience may be paid