122 Assembly Proceedings, April 22-May 10, 1718.

U. H. J.

so Just & so much for their Honour, as well as a Vindication
for my Character, That I take it as a Duty, to give you their
L^dps Sentiments in their own Words as I have them by a Letter
dated the 16^th of November past & are as follows.
It is very true Representations have been made, to us of
your Persecution & Severity to the Roman Catholicks, but as

P. 7

those Representations appear to be Grounded only on Fears &
Jealousies not Facts so we must Approve of your Integrity to
us, in keeping them in due bounds by the Gentle methods you
have taken.

Gentlemen. As there has been no Opportunitys lost by
which the Roman Catholicks imagined, they might deter me in
the Duty of my Office, so they had upon Cases most unfairly
stated, Obtained the Opinion of three Eminent Lawyers, on
the Act of Assembly of this Province, for Suspending the
Prosecution of Popish Priests &c.
These opinions shall be laid before you, for your Con-
sideration upon them
Upon my Representation of this Case to their Lordships in
the Clearest view I was Capable of I have the Honour of
their Lordships Answer upon the occasion as follows.
" If the Learned Councills Opinions were given on Cases
" not fairly Stated, the Roman Catholicks must thank them-
" selves, for we are so far from Imagining, that any Counte-
" nance shou'd be given them, in that Pernicious Practice of
" Perverting People to the Romish Superstition, that we very
" well Approve of the Laws made to prevent it, Never meaning
" any more but that they might live Peaceably & Quietly under
" our Government, whilst they behave themselves as became
" them
Gent. Thus I have Related to you in as short a manner as
time & Occasion will permitt the True Grounds and Reason

p. 8

for which the Romanists & their Adherents, have given me
so great Inquietude, and which have Provoked them, to use so
many Subtile Practices for my Removall. But you will find
the Cause of their unjust Resentments against me more at
large in the Journalls of the Uper & Lower Houses in July
1716.
I must Confess this ffaction have done me more Honour
than I Presume they Intended me as if I alone were of Conse-
quence to the Protestant Interest here, That coud they by any
means remove me from this Station, they might have at least
the Chance, to find my Successor more Pliable to their In-
treagues, And sacrifice me to their Revenge, not Considering
that the Circumstances of this Country is happily Changed for