The Lower House. 573

or the Allegiance due unto us our heires and Successors may
in any wise Suffer any prejudice or diminution."
The Charter was granted by King Charles the first who
was a Protestant and Certainly could not intend this Proviso
in favour of any other Religion than that of which he was a

L. H. J.

Zealous Professor. But to make this more evident it is ex-
pressly Stipulated in the body of the Charter That all Church-
es Chapells and Oritories, be Dedicated and Consecrated ac-
cording to the Law of the Kingdom of England, this so well
explaines it Self that it wants no Comment, I am only Sur-
prized from what Latent Cause the Papists derive any Privi-
ledges here beyond what the connivance of the Government
may Indulge them in.
You may observe from your own Experience and from
what I now mention that their pretentions (however Ill
grounded) have created great disturbances in this Govern-
ment and Shoud they gain their points in view may possibly
one day prove fatal even to all his Majestyes plantations on
the Continent, considering the prodigious Settlements a for-
midable nation of their own perswasion are Extending on our
Backs. These Reflections merit your Precaution, for it is
much easier and Safer, to prevent than to cure an Inveterate
Distemper, contracted by a long neglected, Ill habit in the
Constitution. But that I may not be wanting on my part to
apply proper Remedies to these great and growing evils I hope
you will approve of my Intention of Sending for some prin-
cipal persons of the Papists in Order to examine them before
this Sessions, what Priviledge they have a Right to that they
Enjoy not, and I promise them readily to Concur with you in
allowing them whatever is their due without the least Viola-
tion. But if this fair Occasion will not induce them to expose
their Claims to a Publick Examination, I must own it will
Confirm me, as I think it may Reasonably perswade all man-
kind besides, that they are Cautious it will not bear the Light.
I know no Right of theirs that is Infringed and if any there
be let them make it appear (In the name of God) that they
may have justice done them, and that this Province may no
longer labour under the misapprehensions of their Right or
under the Imputation of Severityes against them, but if there
be none Such, let their Silence be taken as an Acknowledge-
ment that their pretentions are groundless and their exclama-
tions most unreasonable.

p. 11

I am the more Intent on this Proceeding that I may have the
Oppertunity of Answering for you here and hereafter, the
better to prevent their Impositions on Strangers to their case

p. 12