The Upper House. 231

Col Walter Smith & Eleven other members bring from the
House their answer to his Excell Speech, at the opening of
this Session Viz.

By the House of Delegates Dec^r 2^d 1708

May it please your Excell.
This House has Considered your Excell'^s Speech to us at the
opening of this Session & return your Excell our hearty Thanks
for your good Governm^t & noble Endeavours to serve this
Province as well for her Majesty's Service as the Welfare of
the same & doubt not your Excell'^s sincerity therein, We as-

U. H. J.

sure your Excell that this House will Endeavour the same and
if we find any evil minded or malicious Members amongst us
we are & shall be always ready to detect & Censure them as
being not Persons fitted with Qualifications to Sitt amongst us
We are heartily sorry your Excell should be informed or
apprehend that any Person the last meeting appeared in
this House to debauch any of her Majesty's well meaning
Subjects to raise any Animosityes or unnecessary Heats, If
any such we are altogether unsensible of them but if any pri-
vate or particular person should be tardy in such matters this
House does assure your Excell that they will do their utmost
Endeavours to prevent them
And as for those Paragraphs of your Excell^s Speech relating
to the publick Interest this House unanimously agree to Concur
with you in what good Laws are recommended for the Good
& Benefitt of her Majesty's Subjects here And all other Things
by your Excell recommended we will take into Consideration
and Debate and will Consent to anything further that in our
Judgemen^t shall be for her Majesty's honour and Service
and for the good of her Subjects here
Your Excellencys good Governmn^t over us we acknowledge
discreet as well for her Majesty's Service as the Good of this
Province, And having found ourselves easy under the same do
wish your Excell Health & happiness any pray you may Con-
tinue in her Majesty's Favour
Signed p order R: Dallam Cl Ho Del

p. 563

To which his Excell was pleased to make the following Re-
turn

December 2^d 1708

Gentlemen
I have with very great Satisfaction received your answer by
Col Smith & and the other members to what I offered to you

p. 564