372 Assembly Proceedings, May 14-June 6, 1719.

L. H. J.

M^r Speaker delivers to this House their Lordships Answer
to the Address of the late Assembly which is Ordered to be
entred in these words following viz:

Baltimore | Gentlemen of the Upper & Low^r Houses of
Guilford | Assembly:

p. 14

The dispatch given to the publick affairs in your late Ses-
sions and the unanimous concern you have Shown for the
Just Authority of our Courts and the persons of our Min-
isters is most Gratefull to us, as you have thereby not only
manifested the Satisfaccon you take in our Dominion over
you, but in Some Measure added Strength to the liberties &
properties of those you represent, The good people of Mary-
land Therefore we think the Generall part of the act entituled
an Act for the better Supporting the Magistrates in the Ad-
ministration of Justice within this Province & for the Disab-
ling Tho^s Macnemara Esq^r to practice the Law therein, very
necessary But forasmuch as we find tack'd to it a Clause
against a particular Person without hearing the party, which
is the undoubted right of every one of his Majestys Subjects,
We are Obliged to dissent to the Said Act, and we hereby
Declare the same to be null void & of no Effect.
Laws made ag^t Persons ex post facto have been rarely pass'd
in England but always esteem'd Severe, and we hope such a
Generall Act may be made as will so effectually reach all par-
ticular persons for the future, that there may be no more
Occasion to have resort to the like extraordinary means.
We are much concerned to hear that Rigorous and Oppres-
sive Suits contrary to your Laws have been Carryed on against
the Inhabitants of this Province, But we have had such great

p. 15

experience of the Wisdome and Justice of the Administration
under his Majesty in all its parts that we are Sure such pro-
ceedings can never be encouraged and that they may be rightly
represented We have taken an opportunity to lay your Repre-
sentation thereof Before the Commissioners of his Majestys
Customes

Gentlemen. As you have known us so long you [may]
make a very good Judgment from our Actions th^t we have
nothing more at heart than the Protestant Establishment with
a tender Compassion to consciences truely Scrupulous, dis-
senting from it Therefore let no imaginations or the Sugges-
tions of Evill minded men who neither regard your prosperity
or our authority make you Apprehend that any Endeavours
either publick or private can have the least influence on the