98 Assembly Proceedings, Sept, 5-Oct. 3, 1704.

P. R. O.

B. T. Md.
Vol. 17.

to her Majestys Writt there are Twenty nine Members mett
And to know his Excys pleasure whither with that Number of
Members they might proceed to Election of a Speaker in
order to goe on business.
The house thereupon Attended his Ex^cy and Councill And
the said M^r Dent having Acquainted his Ex^cy as Aforesaid
whither they should proceed to the Choice of A Speaker
Thereupon his Ex^cy was pleas'd to Signify he thought there
were A Sufficient number to Compose A house to make choice
of A Speaker which he desired Might be Speedily done that
they might proceed to dispatch business.
And thereupon the Members tooke their leave Withdrew
and repaird to the Stadthouse And then those Members to-
geather with Baltemore County then Appearing proceeded to
make choice of their Speaker And by a Gen^ll Vote Nemine
Contradicente they made Choice of W^m Dent Esq^r their
Speaker And plac't him in the Chaire Accordingly.
Which being done they repair'd to the Councill Chamber
where they presented their Speaker to his Ex^cy the Governour
Where M^r Speaker made a Short Excusatory Speech disabling
himself by reason of some imperfections and humbly prayd
his Ex^cy to direct the house to make choice of some more able
memb^r of that house To Which his Ex^cy replied that he did
very well Allow of their choice for Which he returnd his Ex^cy
humble thanks for thinking him worthy the Execution of a
place of so Great charge And trust promising him to use his
Uttmost endeavour care and dilligence therein And so offerrd
unto him in the name and on behalfe of the said house of As-
sembly that they might have their Accustomd and Usuall
previledges Access to his Ex^cys person upon Urgent occasions
and Free liberty of Speech w^ch was granted And his Ex^cy was
pleasd to say he would send some of the Councill and Clerk'
to see them Quallifyed and so soone as the house is setled
he would Acquaint them the occasion of Calling this Assembly.
Thereupon the Speaker with the rest of the members re-
paird to their house where M^r Speaker returns them thanks
for the honour done him in their choice promising them to
discharge that great trust layd on him According to the best
of his Abillity
Ordered that the house meet at the Stadt house every day
during this Sessions by Eight A Clock in the Morning and
Sitt till twelve And so from two till six in the afternoone.
Propos'd Whither it be not necessary to know of his Ex^cy
the Governour Whither those members that have Allready
taken the oaths appointed by Act of parliam^t are enjoynd to
take the same againe, thereupon