240 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1761-1769.

Lib. C. B.
No. 20

Opposition to and Denial of the authority of Parliament, and
to Subvert the true Principles of the Constitution; it is His
Majesty's Pleasure that you should immediately upon the Re-
ceipt hereof exert your utmost influence to defeat this flagi-
tious Attempt to disturb the Public Peace, by prevailing on
the Assembly of your Province to take no Notice of it, which
will be treating it with the Contempt it deserves. The repeated
Proofs which have been given by the Assembly of Maryland,
of their Reverence and Respect for the Laws, and of their
faithful Attachment to the Constitution, leave little Room in
his Majesty's Breast to doubt of their shewing: a proper Re-
sentment of this unjustifiable Attempt to revive those Dis-
tractions, which have operated so fatally to the Prejudice of
this Kingdom and the Colonies, and accordingly his Majesty
has the fullest Confidence in their Affections; but if notwith-
standing these Expectations, and your most earnest En-
deavours, there should appear in the Assembly of your Prov-
ince a Disposition to receive or give any Countenance to this
Seditious Paper, it will be your Duty to prevent any proceed-
ing upon it by an immediate Prorogation or Dissolution.
I am Sir with great Truth and Regard, Your most Obedient
humble Servant
Hillsborough.

p. 22

Copy. Province of Massachusets Bay Feb^ry 11^th 1768.
Sir.
The House of Representatives of this Province have taken
into their serious Consideration the great Difficulties that
must accrue to themselves and their Constituents by the Op-
eration of the several Acts of Parliament imposing Duties and
Taxes on the American Colonies.
As it is a Subject in which every Colony is deeply interested,
they have no reason to doubt but your Assembly is duly im-
pressed with its Importance, and that such constitutional
Measures will be taken by them as are proper. It seems to be
necessary that all possible care should be taken that the Repre-
sentations of the several Assemblies, upon so delicate a Point,
should harmonize with each other. The House therefore hope
that this Letter will be candidly considered in no other light
than as expressing a Disposition freely to communicate their
Mind to a Sister Colony, upon a common Concern, in the same
Manner as they would be glad to receive the Sentiments of
your or any other House of Assembly on the Continent. This
House have humbly represented to the Ministry their own
Sentiments; That His Majesty's High Court of Parliament is
the supreme Legislative Power over the whole Empire; That