24 Assembly Proceedings, May 29-June 8, 1717.

U. H. J.

made in the nature of the former, but that power to be thereby
given to each respective Justice of the Peace within this Prov-
ince to hear & determine all Disputes between the English and
Indians not Exceeding Twenty shillings, With which [we]
desire your Concurrence And that a bill be brought in accord-
ingly.
Signed p order Jno Beard Cl Up ho.

Sent p Col Coursey who Returns & says he Delivered It.

p. 38

The house adjourns till Afternoon

Post Meridiem
The House meet according to Adjournment

Present as in the morning with the addition of Tho^s Smyth
Esq^r
[On] The Question and Answer about the 13th Article of
their Lordships Instructions is Prepared the following mes-
sage.

By the Uper house of Assembly
June the 4^th 1717

Gent. His Excellency having Comunicated to this house
the i3th Article of his Lordships Instructions to him Viz.
Whereas in the Act made last Sessions of Assembly En-
tituled an Act for the better Security of the Peace and Safety
of his Lordships Governm^t and the Protestant Interest within
this Province there are these words following, That no p son
or p sons w'soever shall be Capable of holding Exercising or
Enjoying any Office deputation or trust within this Province
whatsoever shall presume to Execute or enjoy any such
Office deputation or trust Contrary to the true Intent & mean-
ing of this present Act, the Comission Deputation or Authority

p. 39

of such pson or p sons is made Void And he or they are to
suffer the Penalties as by the said Act is Declared which words
seem to some so General that they think the Trusts Authorities
or Powers granted between man & man in their private Trans-
actions may be affected thereby which is surely more than
what is Consonant to the Laws of great Brittain You are
therefore to Endeavour that the said Act be Re Enacted with
this following Pviso or that some Decla[ra]tory Law or
Clause in a Law be made to the same Effect
Provided nevertheless that this present Act or any thing
therein Contained shall not Extend or be Construed to Extend
to the negotiation or management of the private Affairs of any