Volume 25, Page 268 View pdf image (33K) |
268 Papers Relating to Affairs in Maryland, 1701—14.
P. R. o. an answer to Sr Thomas Laurences Complaint, and the Gauge of tobo hhds Her Matys Royall Comands, and the reviving the temporary Laws, especially those for defraying the necessary Charges of the Province, discharging the publiq debts of this Year, & settling the Itinerant Iustices requir'd the Meeting of this Assembly, and I had Some Small hopes from their Address to me at the opening of the Sessions, they would have had a Greater reguarde for my Advice to them, but there were not Some Envious & Malicious Spiritts wanting to create heats and Iealousyes among the Members of the lower House; So that it was with great difficulty they consented to revive the Act for Ordering & regulating the Militia of this prov ince, for the better defence & Security thereof, untill the End of the next Session of Assembly; as they have done the Act for Lymitation of Officers fees with the like Reluctancy and lymitacon of tyme, being very desirous to render those who are dependent on the Government as meane as may be, and discourage persons of any tollerable Qualifications from discharging the Severall offices therein; And this partly to Satisfye their owne Envious tempers, because they have not what others better deserve, and partly being instigated by a restless and pernicious Crew, who, tho they enjoy her Matyes Gracious protection, are the declared Enemys of our Church and State, and the busiest at the Severall Elections in the Countys where they reside, to get Such ignorant & obstinate people return'd, who will pursue their destructive Notions and countenance their illegall proceedings. There are three things in this province which make the Governmt very uneasye. The Lord Proprietor and his Agents and a Greate many of his and their Relations being Roman Catholiques, and constantly providing and mayn teyning Severall busie Iesuites. The Act of Assembly for the Advancement of the Natives, and residents of this province, And the Ambition and large Iurisdiction of the County Court Iustices. The first, by his Lordships favour in Lands, not only makes a considerable Interest with many of the Inhabitants and Delegates, but also gains many proselites, their priests being encouraged and Supported by them on all Occasions, So that one of them had the Confidence to tamper with one of my domestiques; and when they are checqu'd for these Abuses, the whole party is in a flame, and ready to raise a considerable Contribution for their Defence & Protec tion, and with the Extreamest Spite and Malice exclayme against the Severity as they term it of her Matys Instructions (which indeede would be none, would they conteyne them selves in any reasonable Bounds) and often are heard to
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Volume 25, Page 268 View pdf image (33K) |
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