60 Assembly Proceedings, May 28- June 8, 1717.

L. H. J,

great Zeale you have shewn for the King's Hon^r against the
daring Attempts of Papists. You may depend upon it that as
my Lord Proprietor and I have nothing more at heart than
the maintaining the true Orthodox Religion and principles
of the Church of England and the Protecting you in all Yo^r
civill rights & Liberties so We hope, We shall be able to do
both under the Administration of our Present L^t Governour
Cap^t Hart.
I do Assure you nothing can be more Wellcome to my Lord
Proprietor and me than the Advice of our Assembly it being
so vitall a Part of the Constitucon and the best Counsell of the
Province And We hope that as often as You give it us You will
understand the Value of your rights & Priviledges so well as
to give it free & without Influence.
Gentlemen. You may depend upon it no person shall be
Advanced to any Preferrment for which he shall not be Quali-
fied by Law
October 10^h 1716. Guilford.

Coll: Holland from the upper House delivers M^r Speaker
three L^rs from the Honble. Nathaniel Blackiston Esq^r the agent
for this Province the one dated the 6^th day of October 1716
being a Copy of one from him sent to the Lord Guilford the
other two to the Generall Assembly the one dated the 10^th
of Octo: 1716 and the Other the first of March last By which
this house is firmly perswaded of the strict Hon^r and Justice
as well as great Affection of the said Nathaniel Blackiston
Esq^r towards this Province and also of his indefatigable
Endeavours for the true Interest of both Lord & People.
Maj^r John Ward M^r James ffrisby & Cap^t Thomas Dent
make their Appearance in the house.
Ordered the Comittee of Laws prepare with all Convenient
hast an Answer to his Lpp's & his Excy's Speech.
John Hall Esq^r from the Upper House delivers M^r Speaker
the following Message Viz.

By his Excy in Councill May the 29^th 1717.
Gent.

I have herewith sent you for your Perusall the 11^th Article
of their L^pps Instruccons to me relating to Ordinary Lycences
which is as follows:
Article 11^th Whereas the granting Ordinary's Lycences is
undoubtedly in us and that we have impowered our Secre-
tarys M^r Thomas Beake and M^r Charles Lowe either by them-
selves or their Deputy to grant them and receive the fines
thereof to their own use and thinking it Necessary that the