348 Assembly Proceedings, June 2- July 3, 1714.

U. H. J.

many Familys of this Province & has sensibly affected the
Fortunes of much the greatest number of its Inhabitants
But thanks be to God ! the pious Endeavours of our most
excellent Queen and the indefatigable labours of her wise
ministers are blessed with the Conclusion of an happy peace.
Your Ships are now no more exposed to the Rapine of a
foreign Enemy Your Trade is free & open so that if you are
not wanting to your Selves you have a fair occasion of restoring

p. 884

this province to its former flourishing Condition, under the
Influence of her Majesty's Auspicious Government and the
direction of a ministry zealously disposed to cultivate the
Arts of peace nor shall any thing be omitted on my part (with
the Blessing of Providence) which may contribute to the
Welfare & Interest of the Province whilst I have the Honour
to remain in this Station which I owe to her Majesty's royal
Bounty

Gentlemen, I am commanded by her Majesty to lay several
Instructions before you relating to the good Government of
this Province which I have committed to Writing & will send
down to the House for their perusal

After which M^r Speaker and the members of the House of
Delegates took leave & returned to their house.
His Excellency having caused the Several recommendations
of her Majesty's royal Commands by himself designed to be
laid before the House of Delegates to be read & communi-
cated to the Board Viz.

By his Excellency the Governeur
June the 22^d 1714
Gentlemen
I am commanded by her most Sacred Majesty in the first
place to recommend to your Care the due Support & observ-
ance of Religion as by Law Established, that all Debauchery
Drunkenness Swearing & Blasphemy may be discountenanced
& punished and therefore if you have not Laws Sufficient to
Suppress and prevent the like Immoralitys you may depend

p. 885

upon my ready Concurrence with you in such Measures as
you shall advise may be conducing thereto, Nothing being
more acceptable or agreeable to her Majesty's pious Inclina-
tions than promoting the Honour & Service of Almighty God
or likely to derive a Blessing on Yourselves and Posterity
Her Majesty has commanded me if It be not already done
to recommend to you the passing of an Act of Assembly for
restraining any inhumane Severity s by ill masters or overseers