The Upper House. 77

Signett Which was occasioned by the Death of the Right
Honble the Lord Baltimore Lord Porprietary of this Province
in February last that he has this morning received a Letter
from his present Lordship the Lord Proprietor by Captain
Arbuthnott Commander of the Ship Fortune wherein He
acquaints him of his Father's Death And his Majesty's good
pleasure to restore the Governmt to his Lordship of this
Province. But has not any direction to himself from his
Majesty yet. And therefore his Excellency desires the Ad-
vice of the Board whither It is not fitting to acquaint the
Delegates therefore That some Care may be taken of his
Lordship's Interest in regard to the Compensation of his
Rents heretofore usually taken in Tobacco
Who are of Opinion It is very Advisable And thereupon
his Excellency wrote the following Letter to the Speaker

Council Chamber 30th May 1715
Mr Speaker —

I am to acquaint the House of Delegates that I have a Let-
ter from my Lord Baltimore notifying the Death of his noble
Father the late Lord Baltimore Who as He has ever carryed
himself with great Candour & Affection to this province I
must condole with you for the Loss of so good a Friend

U. H. J.

But as his Lordship is succeeded by a worthy Son who
promises as much as you can reasonably expect from his Cir-
cumstances, I congratulate with you on this Occasion, And
I avow from a personal Knowledge I have of his Lordship's
Disposition that you may be very happy if you please under
such a Land Lord

His Lordship does me the Honour to Entrust me with his
private Affairs in this Province I therefore desire to know
what Resolution you will come to in relation to his Rents
since his Lordship does not think fit to stand to the Agree-
ment made by the late Lord Baltimore upon the precarious
footing the Hhds now stand
John Hart.

Which was sent to the House by all the Gentlemen now
present at the Board
Who went, And returned & said They had delivered his
Excellency's Letter to the Speaker
The Engrossed Bill for the better Administration of Justice
in Testamentary Affairs &c being read at the Board was
assented to And sent to the Delegates by the honble Philemon
Lloyd Esqr

p. 113