By her Majest^ics honble Council in Assembly
September the 9th. 1704.

M^r Joseph Holt's Petition with your Endorsement wherein
we perceive upon his Importunity your Commiseration (not
being fully acquainted with his Enormous life and Conversa-
tion) has induced you to give him more Credit than he can
any ways pretend to, much less deserve, and so be Content
to apply for his Restoration, has been read at this Board, and
we acquaint you that altho his Ex^cy is very willing to gratify
the house in anything they can request yet we cannot be
Content to advise his Ex^cy to restore a person who has had
so many warnings and yet notwithstanding his many Solemn
Promises and assurances has so much scandalized his Func-
tion and prejudiced the Service of the church

Signed p order W Bladen Cl Coun:

Col Dorsey and four other members bring from the house
the house's answer to his Excellenc^ies Speech as follows viz.

To his Excellency the Governour.

The reason we did not sooner give answer to your Ex^cys
Speech was because we were desirous to have as full an house
as could be had on so solemn occasion

We have received and carefully debated the Contents
thereof and as we are well assured of her Majesty our graci-
ous Queen's Goodness and Virtue in her unwearied Care and
Protection of all her Subjects and the wise Constitution of her
Governm^t so we Esteem ourselves very happy in a Governour
that imitates so glorious an Example for we cannot but
observe thro' your plain Elegant Discourse a generous English
Zeal for her Majest^tiesService Joyned with a tender regard to
the Welfare of this Province, And we do (and believe ever
shall) Esteem ourselves Easy and Safe under your wise and
just Administration and pray for your Continuance