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

U. H. J.

Encouragem^t to the Disturbers of yours & this Province's
Tranquility that we find their Lordships condemning the
Practice Discouraging the party And (which we are Ex-
treamely thankfull to your Excellency for Communicating to
us) Declareing their Resolution to Discountenance the Papists
in their Pernicious Practice of Perverting to the Romish
Superstition Altho their Lordships Intirely Acquiesce with
your Excellency by comending your Integrity and Applauding
Your Conduct in keeping the Papists within Bounds by the

p. 23

Gentle methods You have made use of.
S^r We have but too much Reason to believe that the De-
signes of your Enimies either Papists or their Adherents have
no Other foundation than in the Opposition made to their
Intended Establishment of a Popish Interest within this Prov-
ince: Disappointment Inflamed the Party their malice Cen-
tered in your Excellency as the Chief Agent of it, And they
have ever since Harrass'd you with new Schemes and Pro-
jects of Removing you from this Government, the Ungener-
ous Reward of so good an Undertaking so Justifyable before
God and man whereby the Purity of our Religion and the
Safety of our Persons are Secured to us That we look upon it
to be our Duty to declare our Approbation thereof as the only
Effectuall means to Continue a Succesfull & lasting Dominion
to the Family of Baltemore over this his Lordships Province
of Maryland which the Restless Spirits of a Popish Enter-
prizing Faction might again Expose to the Hazzard of State
Emergencies
W^ree Congratulate Your Excellency on your Peculiar hap-
pyness in Standing so well in the Esteem of their Lordships as
we perceive by their Letters Concerning the Affairs of this
Province under your Excellencys Administration.
This S^r Animates us with fresh Courage & Zealous Resolu-
tions of Adhering to the Lord Proprietarys Interest by Enter-
ing into such measures upon all Occasions as may be most
Consistant with his Honour and the Prosperity of this Prov-
ince to the Accomplishment of which great End we of his

p. 24

Lordships Councill of this Province are humbly of Opinion
that their Lordships will alwavs look upon us as the Best
Qualified psons to lay before them the True State & Circum-
stances of Affairs here And th^t no Representation from Other
Quarters unless warranted by very good Authority may at
any time lessen their Lordships Esteem of [y]our Excy or the
Councill here who have made use of their united Endeavours
to advance my Lord Proprietarys Interest together with the
Publick wealth of this Province.
Signed p order Jn^o Beard Cl Uper House

The House Adjourns till Afternoon