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

L. H. J.

Whereupon resolved the following Message be prepared
viz.

By the Lower House of Assembly
May 30^th 1719.

May it please your Honours We have considered your
Message by Col: Addison of this day And also the Right
Honourable the Lord Guilfords and his Excellencys the Gov-
ernours recommendation of a law to be past in favour of M^r
Humphreys and shall always be glad of an Opportunity of
obliging either of them in the Service of their friends where it
may be done without running Counter to the laws of the
Country that have hitherto been well Approved but we find
that the Only intention of the Act for the advancement of
Natives and residents of this Province was to prevent those
from offices that had interest enough to get them, for that
those that had none needed not to have been provided against
by a law and if those that have interest enough to get offices

p. 80

may as easily obtain a Despensation with that law in vain
was it made nor do we find there has ever been above one
such Instance thro: the course of any one Governours Ad-
ministration, Which has been Already given in favour of M^r
Steele, we therefore hope his Lordship and his Excellency will
not take it amiss that we adhere Strictly to the Law as it now
Stands and haveing as we conceive more of the Youth of the
Country now Qualifyed for offices than formerly and a fair
prospect of their increase by the care that is taken to propagate
learning we are of opinion that whilst that Law is adjudged
so usefull and necessary for the Province it ought not to be
Dispensed with.
And therefore we cannot agree to the proposall.
Signed p order M. Jenifer Cl. Lo. Ho.

Sent to the Upper house by Major Emerson and M^r Beale.
They return & say they delivered it.
Bill for relief of Severall poor prisoners read the first and
Second times by Especial order and will pass which was so
endorst and Sent to the Upper house by M^r Rousby and M^r
James Smith.
They return and say they delivered it.
Coll. Young from the Upper House Acquaints M^r Speaker

p. 81

that the Upper House has Assented to the Engrost bill for the
better Supporting of the Magistrates in the Administration of
Justice
And to the Engrost bill Explaining the repealing law.