6 Assembly Proceedings, March 26- April 15, 1707.

Original
Journal.

inspection of those Sort of men; there are others I shall Pre-
sume to Communicate to the house of Burgesses by Message.
And now M^r Speaker and you Gentlemen Delegates give
me leave to mind you of my owne small concern the rent of
my house with the necessary repairs & amendments about it,
and the out houses for without these little Additions, I could
expect no comfortable being.

Gentⁿ
I can never believe it was any disgust to my Pson or a
Slight to her Majestys directions in that point, you refused
building the Governour a house (which our neighbours
granted at first word to theirs) but the Low unfortunate Cir-
cumstances the Poor Province Laboured under; for which
reason I refused fifteen pounds a year above the rent I now
stand at, when you were Pleased to offer it; and lett the mat-
ter rest without any reluctancy or uneasiness till we knew each
other better. Therefore as you never yett found me mercenary
or tricking; I cannot doubt your Justice in this trifle what I
have Expended amounts to £47..13^s..6^d to the truth of which
I cann Solemnly Depose I have observed in some Speeches of
a Predesessor — a very ingenious wining passage; that he had
put the Country to no charge; its true I have; but be so just

p. 6

to consider those were halcyon days of Peace & Tranquillity
myne of Warr and hurly Burlys abroad and at home, which
threaten us anew, I appeale to every Gentⁿ here present to
Justify me in the truth of this modest Assertion that what has
been laid out by my Directions was for your hon^r Safety &
Service without any manner of Prospect to Advantage myself
or family.
Your Small Stock of Arms are well fixed our Ammunition
good, and usefull & think it my Duty while I am your Gover-
nour to have it constantly preserved for the publick Service;
from all home bred Villianes and every enemy to our monarchye
& Country, what designes are Carrying on, to bring fresh
trouble and Expence on us, the house shall be acquainted
with, not without hopes by your prudent timely Assistance
to defeat and punish the Ring leaders, for their new concerted
Barbarity; which surely I cann never faile of from Gent, whose
Integrity and Ability the free holders of the Province were So
well assured off unanimously to chuse for Burgesses to serve
& use your utmost endeavours to preserve our Libertys & this
our Lawfull Constitution.
Lett me therefore engage your very serious Considerations
in this Juncture; how the Government may be truly Safe &
Supported against the present and all other dareing Insults
whatsoever that you & Yours may be happy & flourish in Suc-