484 Assembly Proceedings, May 15-25, 1705.

Lib. 41.

Dorsey, M^r Edward Blay, M^r John Leach, M^r John Waters,
and M^r John Jones view and inspect the same and make
Report thereof forthwith that the House may proceed accord-
ingly. A Copy whereof was delivered them.

p. 28

Bill for making valid a Lre of Attorney from William Josephs
Esq^r to William Josephs his Son, Read the first and second
Times and by especial Order do pass.
The Honble Thomas Tench, John Hammond, Francis Jen-
kins, William Coursey and Thomas Ennalls Esq^s from the
Council enters the House and delivers M^r Speaker the follow-
ing Libel and Message therewith viz.

My Friends. I have thought fit to advise you to take Care
in Time to defend yourselves from that wicked Contrivance of
Darnall and the Popish Priests in their agreeing with the
French & the other Heathens to destroy you all. The Pro-
ceedings of Maryland are easily brought to us over Patowmack
River Can any People think that the Queen sent a Governor
amongst you to be ruled by Darnall or any other Papist. We
hear that an Act of Assembly was made against the Popish
Priests to blind the People ; but how long was it before they
had Liberty, and the Protestant Ministers Silenced. Have a
Care of a Popish Plot lest you have Cause to repent when it's
too late. This from a Friend is all present
To the Protestants of Maryland

By his Excellency the Governor and Council in Assembly
Die Veneris 18^th May 1705

The above is a Copy of a scandalous & seditious Libel pub-
lished in S^t Mary's County to the great Dissatisfaction of her
Majesty's Loyal good Subjects but more especially with a
malicious Intent to render the Administration of the Govern-
ment here odious and Suspected. You cannot but remember
that what was done in Order to checking or restraining the
Extravagances of the Popish Priests came first from your
House, and had the ready Assent of his Excellency and this
Board So likewise what was done the last Sessions in Sus-
pending the Execution thereof for 18 Months was first moved
in your House and represented by you as reasonable to this
Board wherefore we doubt not your Candour in publickly
resenting so base and unjust an Abuse & Calumny of his
Excellency & this Board as by the said Libel is offered against
them Signed p Order W Bladen Cl. Council.

Which being read the House refers it to turther Considera-
tion.