340 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1716.

               C. P. eration of their having embraced the Protestant Religion

                   which has not onely removed tht Umbrage has been long

                   wisely conceived agt their Administration here, for reasons of

                   State.

                     But I am in strong Hopes this better Change of Principles

                   will prove a continued Happiness to You.

                     It is with great pleasure that I am ordered to Assure You

                   from my Lord Guilford, the noble Guardian of the Young

                   Lord Proprietarie, that his Lordship will make it his constant

                   Care to promote the Welfare of this Province, and I can

                   further assure You from the Personal Knowledge I have of

                   the gentle and sweet disposition of the Lord Proprietarie,

                   that there is a promising aspect his Lordship will prove a

                   growing Blessing to Maryland

                     As to my Part, when I was honoured with a more immedi

                   ate Commission under the Crowne I made it my careful

                   Study to prserve and improve the true Interest of this Pro

                   vince both before and since my Arrival here, & whilst I am

                   so happy to remain in this Station shall faithfully continue to

                   Pursue that good End; and do Solemnly Promise You that I

                   will Act in my Sphere (so far as my Power extends) impar

                   tially between the Lord Proprietary and this People, And as

                   it is not expected (and far from my Inclination) on his Lord

                   ship's Part) that I should pay my Court to him at yr Expence,

                   so on the other side, for gaining of Popular Applause, or any

                   other motive whatever, will I betray that great Trust of Gov

                   ernment reposed in me And so long as I make the Laws

                   my Rule and Guide to Govern, and my Conscience the Judge

                   of Equity, the Publick Good will be rightly maintained, &

                   The Publick both by their Duty and Interest will support me

                   in my Authority.

                   Gentlemen of the Lower House

                     You will readily observe the necessity of having the Laws

                   run in the Stile of the Lord Proprietarie, as they formerly

                   did, when this Government was Administred by his noble

                   Ancestors. The manner and Method of doing this by the

                   most easy and effectuall means is recommended to Your Con

                   sideration—allways wth regard to make the Charge as light as

                   possible to the People, for I am so sencible of the Burthen

                   of long and frequent Assemblys that I am willing to ease

                   them for my Part of the Charge of the Seals on this occasion

                     The Experience I have gained since I have resided Among

                   you, has learnt me how difficult, nay almost impossible it is

                   for you to Comply with Your Rents, in mony Sterl, according

                   to the Tenr of Your Grants, from the Lord Proprietarie