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

L. H. J.

Browne for Turky Point and desiring to be heard by Councell
was read and leave is given the pet^r to be heard by Councell
Esq^r Lowe from the upper House delivers M^r Speaker a Bill
Limiting the Continuance of Accdns &c^a thus endorst viz.

By the upper House of Assembly May the 5^th 1718

Read and will pass with the following Amendments viz.
That thirteen months Time be allow'd in the inferior Courts
& 25 Months in the Superior Courts accept in Cases where
Evidences are wanting from beyond Seas and this at the Dis-
crecon of the Judges before whom such Causes shall be de-
pending and if the default be in the prosecutor there to be a
Discontinuance but if in the Defence Judgment for the plain-
tiff. Signed p order John Beard Cl: up. ho.

Which was read with the Indorsment and sent to the Com-
ittee of Laws for Amendment.
And the pet^o of Esther Smith & Esther Oldfield thus En-
dorst viz:

By the upper House of Assembly May the 5^th 1718.

Upon reading the within Pet⁰ this House is of Opinion that
the Pet" are objects of Charity & that by the corrupt and
Malitious Evidence of the prosecutors they have suffered
unjustly wherefore We referr their Deplorable and unhappy
Circumstances being charged with great fees (all of which
are remitted except the sherr^s) unto the Consideracon of the
lower House of Assembly and further propose that after Such
Abatements are made on the Sherr fees as may be thought

p. 62

reasonable the said persons may be set at large from their
unhappy Confinements at the publick Charge.
Signed p Ord^r
John Beard Cl up ho:

which was read and ordered the Comittee of Laws prepare a
Bill for their relief.
Coll^o Holland from the upper House Delivers M^r Speaker
the following Message viz:

By the upper house of Assembly May the 5^th 1718.

Gent. Forasmuch as his Excy has laid before this House
as an Aggrievance that for three years past there has but very
few Patents come forth of M^r Carroll's Office to the Prejudice
of those who have paid for drawing the same and John Beale