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to the Directions of the said Law ; and Four Days Notice of
the Election, in each City or Borough.
III. And whereas notwithstanding all the Measures that
have been hitherto taken for preventing the Growth of Popery
within this Province, it is very obvious, that not only profest
Papists still multiply and increase in Number, but that there
are also too great Numbers of others that adhere to and
espouse their Interest, in Opposition to the Protestant Estab-
lishment: And being under just Apprehensions (from what
Steps they have already taken) that if Papists should continue
to be allowed their Vote in electing of Delegates, they, with
their Adherents, and those under their Influence, will make
such a Party at the Elections of many of the Counties within
this Province, as well as the City of Annapolis, as to determine
the Choice in some of their great Favourites and Adherents,
which if they should accomplish, how much it would tend
to the Discouragement and Disturbance of his Lordship's
Protestant Government, is not easy to imagine: It is therefore
humbly prayed, that it may be Enacted ; And be it Enacted,
by the Authority aforesaid, by and with the Advice and Con-
sent aforesaid, That all profest Papists whatsoever, be (and
are hereby Declared) uncapable of giving their Vote in any
Election of a Delegate or Delegates within this Province,
either for Counties, Cities or Boroughs, unless they first qual-
ify themselves for so doing, by taking the several Oaths ap-
pointed to be taken by an Act of Assembly of this Province,
entitled, An Act for the better Security of the Peace and
Safety of his Lordship's Government, and the Protestant
Interest within this Province, and subscribe the Oath of
Abjuration and Declaration therein mentioned.
IV. And further, inasmuch as too many Persons that are
either really Papists, or Popishly inclined, act in Disguise,
and will not make any public Profession of their Principles,
for the better and more effectual carrying on their wicked and
malicious Designs, for the undermining and Subverting our
present Establishment; Be it therefore further Enacted, by
the Authority, Advice and Consent aforesaid, That it shall
and may be lawful for the Sheriff, or other Judges of Elec-
tions, and such Sheriff, or other Judges, are hereby required,
as often as any of them shall see needful (or upon the In-
formation of any other Person duly qualified to vote) to tender
and administer the Oaths and Subscriptions aforesaid, to any
Person or Persons suspected to be Papists, or Popishly in-
clined, and upon their Refusal, to set aside such Vote or
Votes.
V. Provided always, That nothing in this Act be construed
to debar or hinder any of the People called and generally
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