The Lower House. 241

By his Ex^cy the Gov^r and Councill in Assembly
March 18^th 1701/2

Herewith is sent you the R^t Honble the Lords Com^rs of
Trade & plant^a Lre: to his Ex^cy the Gov^r of the 22^d of July
last requireing his Ex^cy to gett the best informacon he cann
relateing to the Conduct of the proprietary Gov^rs and Gov-
ernm^t upon the Severall heads of observations in the said
Lre: enclosed and upon such other heads as may be proper
to give a true light into the State of the plantacons more
especially in relation to this province while it was under Gov-
ernours appointed by the proprietor.
And also as to Pennsilvania and the Iersey's which are
the nearest to this province, and thereupon you are desired
in Complyance to the s^d Lre: from their Lordsp^s to represent
what you know or have heard either in respect to this province
whilst under proprietary Govern^ts or otherwise of Pensilvania
and the Jersey's according to their Lordsp^s desire, and inas-
much as it hath been offered at this board that some Gen^t
of knowne probity now in your house have reported th^t they
were Sencible the 14^d p tonn formerly and yett taken by and
paid to the Lord Baltemore as porte Dutys was intended &
given for the maintainance of Forts and Defence of the prov-
ince and was originally stated and called Forte Dutys' and
not porte Duty's but by some Sinister means contrary to the
intent of the Assembly that gave it it was altered and changed
into porte Duty's
Therefore wee Desire you will enquire into this matter and
endeavour to gett the best informacon and Satisfacon you
cann therein the said Revenue of 14^d p Tonn being now of
great emolument and in case it be made appeare to be mis-
applyed that is contrary to the intent it was raised for, proper
means may be used to regaine that disadvantage to the
province.
Signed p order. W Bladen Clk Councill.

Which said Message being read, It is resolved it be againe
read in a full house.
The house adjournes for an howre

Post Merid: The house mett againe and being called over.
Were present as in the morning only M^r Vanderhayden
absent being sick.
The Message by Coll^o John Hammond and Coll^o Edward
Loyd againe read. And the Lords Com^r Lre: and observa-
tions mentioned in the same were here likewise read.
Which observations here followes, viz :

Original
Journal.