Friday the 8^th December 1704.

The House met again according to Adjournment.

Being called over were all psent as Yesterday.

Committees ordered to withdraw.

Engrossed Bills for Limitation of Officers Fees.

Engrossed Bill for Preservation of Harbours &^ta

Engrossed Bill for Advancement of Natives &^ta

Engrossed Bill for regulating the Militia

Engrossed Bill declaring several Acts to be in Force &^ta

Engrossed Bill for Payment of Fees due from Criminals &
the ingrossed Bill for causing Grand and Petit Jurors & Wit-
nesses to come to Courts; together with their Originals were
sent up to the Council by M^r John Mackall & M^r Francis
Dallahide.

They return & say they delivered the Bills.

Thomas Brooke Esq^r James Sanders & Col^o William Holland
Esq^r enters the House and delivers the following Message to
M^r Speaker. Which was read Viz.

By his Excellency the Governor & Council in Assembly
December 8^th 1704.

Since the rising of the last Session of Assembly the follow-
ing Remarks have been made on some particular Laws.

I^st And first as to the Act prohibiting the Importation of
Bread Flour and Grain from Pensylvania and other Parts of
America, whether it be in the Legislative Power of this
Province so to do, or any otherwise prohibit Trade; and if it
were not better to lay a severe Duty thereon might serve for
a Prohibition.

2. Secondly As to the Act obliging Masters of Ships to
publish their Freight before they take Tob^o on Board it is not
so well worded and ascertained by saying their certain Freight
to answer the Intent of the Makers but only serves to amuse
the Merchants at Home.

Thirdly. The Act for laying a Duty of 9^d p Gallon on p. 12
Rum &^ca from Pensyl^a has not appointed proper Officers for

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