The Lower House. 607

Read the first Time and put to the Question whether the
Bill pass or not ? Carried in the Affirmative
Bill for encouraging making Hemp and Flax
Read the first Time & put to the Question whether the Bill
pass or not ? Carried in the Affirmative & do pass.
Bill suspending the Prosecution of Popish Priests &^ta read
again & do pass.
Bill declaring several Acts of Parliament to be in force,
Read the first Time and by especial Order do pass.
Bill encouraging the making Hemp & Flax &^ta read the
second Time & do pass
The foregoing 4 Bills sent up to the Council by M^r Joseph
Grey & M^r John Maclaster for their Honours Concurrence.
They return and say they delivered the Bills
William Holland and William Coursey Esq^rs enter the House
& delivers M^r Speaker Ingrossed Bill for Encouragement of
Trade &^ta
Bill for confirming the last Will and Testament of Thomas
Knighton late of Ann Arundel County deceased Read the
first Time & referred till next Assembly and ordered all Per-
sons concerned have Notice then to give their Attendance if
to them it shall seem meet.
William Coursey Esq; enters the House and delivers M^r
Speaker the following Message

Maryland April 17, 1706. By the Honble the Rector Governor
and Visitors of the ffree Schools.

Whereas the Honble the House of Delegates upon the
Account yesterday by us exhibited for the Rent of the School
House in Annapolis made so very inconsiderable an Allow-
ance for the Council Chamber & publick Offices its that House
that it will not answer the half of the common Interest of the
money expended in Building thereof we do hereby represent
unto the General Assembly that altho' we shall not gainsav
the Bargain about the Library yet we are not willing the
House should be held and used for a Council Room or other
publick Services on such precarious Terms any longer There-
fore propose that you will either make a particular Agreement
for the Rent of the Council Room or otherwise pchase the
whole House which we are willing to offer the Public at a very
reasonable Rate.
Signed p Order W Bladen Cl. Lib: School.
To the Honble the Gen^l Assembly.

Which being read this House say they will not purchase
but are willing to take the whole House one year at Rent of

Lib. 41.