96 Assembly Proceedings, Mar. 10, 1697/8-Apr. 4, 1698.

Original
Journal.

Whereupon put to the Question if a Bill shall be drawn up
to restreine such theire psumption or not, and carryed by the
Majority of voices in the negative.
But Resolved nemine Contradicente that his Ex^cy be ad-
dressed to issue his proclamation to restreyne such theire
extravagances and p^rsumptions.
House adjourned till one of the Clock in the afternoon.
Post Merediem. House Mett. absent M^r Ashman.
Resolved the following address be sent to his Ex^cy the Gov^r

By the house of Delegates March the 21^st 1697/8.

Upon Reading a certaine Letter from a Reverend Minister
of the church of England which your Ex^cy was pleased to
comunicate to us complaining to your Ex^cy how that the
popish priests in Charles County do of theire own accord in
this violent and rageing Mortality in that County make it
theire business to go up and down the County to persons
houses when dying and phrantick and endeavour to Seduce

p. 176

and make proselytes of them and in such condition boldly
p^rsume to adminis^r the Sacrem^ts to them. We have put it to
the vote in the house, if a Law should be made to restreyne
such theire p^rsumption, and have concluded not to make such
Law att present, but humbly to entreat your Ex^cy that you
would be pleased to issue the proclamation to restreyne and
prohibite such theire extravagante and p^rsumptious behaviour.
Signed p order. W Bladen, Clk: house Delegates.

Sent by M^r Staley and M^r Young, who returne and say they
have delivered theire Message.
A protested Bill of Exch: due from the Country drawn by
M^r Samuell Cooksey Nav^ll Officer of potomack upon Cap^t
Petre Paggen payable to M^r lames Dowling of S^t Mary's
County being considered by the house, Resolved the said Bill
and the damage of the protest be paid M^r Ben: Hall who is
intermarried with the said M^r Bowlings Executrix by the pub-
lick Treasurer of the Western Shoar.
His Ex^cy the Governour having acquainted the house that it
was wished a method of holding the Assemblyes might be
ascertained.
The house taking the same into consideration do unani-
mously resolve that they will draw up no methods of holding
assemblyes, but continue in the forme they have done, but as
they shall gain Experience will endeavour to come nearer and
nearer to the practice of the parliament in England as the
constitution of this province will admitt.