The Lower House, 210

and Council desire this House to explain themselves whether
they sent Richard Dallam to his Excellency for his Approba-
tion as Clerk of this House and then withdrew. Thereupon
the following Message was sent to his Excellency and Council
by M^r Hunt and M^r Vanderheyden.

By the House of Delegates September 28^th 1708

This House humbly recommend Richard Dallam to his Ex-
cellency for his Approbation to be their Clerk
Signed Thomas Smithson Speaker.

They return and say they delivered their Message and that
his Excellency will send an Anwer M^r Cheseldine from the
Council enters the House and delivers M^r Speaker the follow-
ing Message

By his Excellency the Governor and Council in Assembly
September 28^th 1708.

M^r Speaker. Tho' we are very well satisfied 'tis her Majes-
ty's Royal Prerogative to appoint proper Officers to attend the
Assembly and that you have no Right to the Election of any
but what shall be approved of by this Board, we are willing,
rather than the Country's Business should be delayed to admit
the Clerk nominated by you pro hac vice salvo Jure, but resent
it that you rejected the Clerk appointed by his Excellency
without giving any Reason Signed p Order
Evan Jones Cl. Con^l

L. H. J.

Thereupon Col^{o
John Coode and Captain John Franklin
were sent up to the Council together with the said Richard
Dallam to his Excellency and Council with the following
Message Viz.}

By the House of Delegates September 28^th 1708

This House humbly thank his Excellency for his favourable
Condescension in approving of the Clerk by us recommended
and desire he may be qualified by taking the usual Oaths
Signed Thomas Smithson Speaker

They return and say they delivered their Message and have
seen the said Richard Dallam qualified
The House adjourns till two O'Clock in the Afternoon

p. 320