The Upper House. 551

above two years are barr'd from recovering the twenty p
Cent, to the great Surprize of all Persons.
3^dly In the bill it is declard Protested bills are to be equal
to Specialtys but by the latter part of that Clause directing
the paym^t thereof by Ex^rs or Adm^rs by a Sort of a Negative
pregnant they are made inferiour.
4^thly The Security proposd & at the Discretion or perhaps
good will of the Justices is altogether introductory of an
Arbitrary power to the said Justices to favour whome they
please to the prejudice of many others.
5^thly Bills of Exchange being the Standard of Trade ought
not to be abasd twenty p Cent being no great advantage
much less a reasonable Recompence in Case of Disappoint-
ment to trading people neither is Currant Coine here answer-

Original
Journal.

able to Merchants bills & the growing Interest proposd on
protested bills in the Country will be very intricate,
6^thly The house have left out of the bill the making Lands
a Chattle which would be the only means to pay bills & Deter
insolvent Drawers incouraged by their not affecting their
Plantations Wherefore this Board cannot Consent to the bill
as proposd but recomend it to be past with 90 days usance
The aforegoing Remarks sent to the house by Coll Jenkins.
The Board adjourns till the Afternoon

Post Meridiem The Councill Sate
Present as in the Morning

M^r Hays & M^r Howe bring up the Bill declaring several
private Acts to be in force Which was read & past & sent
to the house
The Bill for suspending the Prosecution of Popish Priests
&c — And the Bill for erecting a Parish on the North side of
Elke River being both Ingrossed were read & assented to by
this board & sent to the house by Coll Holland.
Came M^r Henry Coursey & brought up an Address to her
Majesty & another to the Lord High Treasurer.
Both which are as follows

To the Queens most excellent Majesty

The humble Address of yo^r Governour Councill & Assem-
bly of this your Majestys Province of Maryland now Con-
vened.

p. 59

Whereas This your Majestys Province is wholly Destitute
of any Manner of Coine for want of which we labour under
the greatest difficulties & Inconveniences imaginable Our
Tradesmen for want of prompt payment deserting us Our

p. 60