116 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761.

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

At a Council held at the City of Annapolis on Thursday
the 15^th Day of April in the fifth year of his Lordships Do-
minion Annoque Dom: 1756.

the honble

Present

Benjamin Tasker Esq^r
Philip Thomas Esq^r
Samuel Chamberlaine
Esq^r
Colonel Benjamin Tasker

Richard Lee Esq^r
Benedict Calvert Esq^r
Colonel Goldsborough

His Excellency is pleased to lay before this Board some
Extracts of Instructions, sent him by the Right Honourable
the Lord Proprietary which are ordered to be entred as
follow

Art: 47^th
date 3 Mar.
1 753

" You are to permit a Liberty of Conscience to all persons
(except Papists) so they be contented with a quiet, and peace-
able Enjoyment of the same, not giving Offence, or Scandal
to the Government."

Art. 9^th
date 17^th
April 1754

Having received a Copy of a Bill that was brought in and.
read the first time in the Lower House, and putt off to next
Sessions "to prevent the further Growth of Popery" the
sections thereof containing Matters of the greatest Import-
ance, and Consequence, and as the first of W^m and Mary com-
monly called the toleration Act, and the several penal Acts
of Parliament therein mentioned, being before them enacted

p. 94

to be in full Force, within the Province &c. besides other Acts
in force, as by Acts of Assembly, I think the Penalties in
the said several Acts in force sufficient Protection against
all Injury from Popery; however as to further Consideration
thereon I hope and do expect the Legislative Authority of the
Province will judiciously and truly determine thereupon so
as not to affect any lay Roman Catholick in Maryland, con-
trary to such Conditions as to his Rights and privileges he
doth enjoy throughout his Majestys Plantations in America
nor thereby p^rvent the Increase of Inhabitant Setlers within
the Province. Any Bill for such Purposes, I desire and re-
quire of you not to pass, and that you will not pass any Bill
that admits of any Clause of Evidence or Words reputed Evi-
dence, so as to affect in Judgment by any Court of Justice
any Persons either in Life or property whatsoever

10.

And whereas at a Sessions of Assembly the 17^th day of
July in the first year of the Dominion of my late dear Father
Charles Lord proprietary of Maryland & Avalon &c. Anno-
que Domini 1716, An Act passed for transferring the Pay-
ment of all such Fines and Forfeitures, as shall hereafter
arise or happen upon the Breach of any penal Laws of this