The Lower House. 569

imported is pleased to ask the Advice of the General Assem-
bly whether on due Consideration thereof, are not apparent
Reasons her Majesty's Loyal good Subjects should be appre-
hensive of that growing Evil and more especially since these
sort of People are seated in Great Numbers in Baltimore
County and at the Head of the Bay Frontiers of this Province
most liable to the Invasion of the common Enemy ; wherefore
in Case the Country thinks this deserves their Notice his Ex^cy
desires they will advise what Measures are to be taken for
the Prevention thereof for that the Duty of twenty shillings p
Poll is not any Discouragement to that Importation and
whether it be not reasonable by some Law to forbid the Sale
of Protestant Servants to Masters of the Romish Church they
being generally seduced in their Religion or otherwise misused
in their Persons.
Signed p Order
W Bladen Cl. Council

Which being read it's resolved that a Bill be prepared to
forbid the Sale of any Protestant Servants to any [master
of the] Romish Church.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Annapolis read with the
Indorsement from the Hon^ble Council and resolved that this
House cannot concur with the Indorsment for that they are of
opinion the Inhabitants thereof ought to lay out their Lots at
their own proper Charge.
The Hon^ble James Saunders Esq^r from the Council enters
the House and delivers M^r Speaker the Lords of Trade and
Plantations Letter together with Sir Thomas Lawrence's Petⁿ
relating to Ordinary Licenses.
Referred till Afternoon for Consideration
The House adjourns till two O'Clock Afternoon.

Post Meridiem The House met according to Adjournment,
and were psent as before in the Morning M^r William Stone's
Letter of Excuse read & allowed of by the House.
The Paragraph of his Excellency's Speech relating to Ports
and Towns being read & debated Put to the Question whether
Ports and Towns shall be erected in this Province or not?
Carried in the Affimative and resolved a Bill be prepared and
laid before the House for that Purpose.
The Paragraph in the same Speech relating to protested
Bills &^ca being also read and debated it's Resolved a Confer-
ence with some of the Hon^ble Council on this Subject be
desired. And ordered the following Message be sent up to
them for that Purpose.

Lib. 41.