192 Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 5-Oct. 3, 1704.

P. R. 0.

B. T. Md.
Vol. 17.

By the house of Delegates Sepf 28^th 1704

Wee have Considerd the last Message by Kenelme Chesel-
dyn and W^m Coursey Esq^rs of this day for selling the fees on
private laws And transcribing the body of laws And As to
those of this Sessions Wee haue by Examining the Comittee
of laws found they will be of Greater length then What Wee
at first beleived And therefore are willing to Allow 2000' tob
for every coppy And thats the highest that euer wee find
Allowd Even when the Whole body has been revised which
Wee cannot in reason Advance.
As to the last Sessions laws Wee haue Examind the laws
and finde the proporcon is Sufficient ; and why Your hono^rs
propose 1000 because of presidents when there is A plain law
directory in the point Wee cant Imagine And if your hono^rs
would haue them presidents And not the law direct us then wee
should Allow but 1000 for this body which wou'd be unreason-
able but Yo^r hono^rs know it is the true intent of the law that
Wee and You look to and Not Criticall Exceptions Which if
Wee wou'd made use on wee might Scruple to Allow any
thing for last Sessions laws, but Wee Meane nothing but What
is honest And fair And desire to be so understood and Used.
To the private bills we meane the persons to be Answerable
for the same As the publiq is for the publiq bills. And Altho
wee Shall not dispute the Weight of business that lyes upon
any clerk beleiving euery one has enough
Wee desire to be excus'd from increasing any fees on private
bills At this time more then what has been used before And
Wee do not finde Yo^r Clerk (tho Wee haue A respect for him)
ever Allowd any fees on private bills And hope you will not
press that Matter Any further but loyne with us in hearty
endeavo^rs to dispatch the Weighty Matters in hand.
Signd p order W^m Taylard Cl h D.

Which being read and Approovd of was sent up to his Ex^cy
and Councill by M^r Iames Smallwood M^r W^m Watts & M^r W^m
Peirce.
They returne and say they deliverd the same.
The honob In^o Hamond Esq^r enters the house And delivers
M^r Speaker
Bill for admiration of Iustice in probatt of Wills &c^a
Endorsd Eod die. Read the I^st and 2^d time and do, pass
for engrossment W^m Bladen Cl Co.

Sent up to the Comittee of laws to be Engrost
The following Message orderd to be read Viz^t.