The Lower House. 607

Lands and Estate of Coll^o Smithson and Thomas Smithson
thus Endorst Viz.

By the Upper House of Assembly.
April the 16^th 1720.

Upon reading and Considering the within bill we find that
you have Reserved a Right of Redemption to the heirs only
and have Excluded the severall Devisees, whereas we are of
Opinion that the Devisees ought to have the pre-emption of
their respective Estates, and it being represented to us that
Mary Wrightson Widow one of the Devisees mentioned in
the will of the within Thomas Smithson of Talbot County hath
paid all the arrears of the Quit Rents due to the Lord Pro-
prietary for Land Deviseed to her, we think it reasonable, that
if that Land be sold, she should be again repaid so much To-
bacco as she can make appear she has Disbursed on that Occa-
sion the land being yet uncultivated, and no benefitt accruing
to her by it, and we are Likewise of Opinion, that forasmuch
as it appears, that it was the Principal Design of the within
Thomas Smithson of Talbot County, that the Chief of his
Lands and Personal Estate should remain to the Parish of
S^t Michaels in the said County and free Schools in this Prov-
ince, We think that these Lands so deviseed ought not to be
Exposed to sale if the other Land and the remaining part of
the personall Estate should be found Sufficient to recompence
the Damages, and we propose that Coll Richard Tilghman be
appointed Commissioner in the Room of M^r Dashiell, who lives
remote from the Land.
Signed p Order. John Beale Cl: Up: Ho:

The Question was put whether a Bill shall be brought in to
Continue the three pence p hh^d to the Governour in his Ab-
sence.

L.H. J.

Carried in the Affirmative by the Majority of Votes.
The Question was put whether it should be for Twelve
months or untill he shall be Actually Superseeded which shall
first happen or only for Twelve months.
Carried Nemine Contradicente that it shall Continue for
twelve months or untill his Excellency shall be actually Super-
seeded which shall first happen.

The house adjourns till one a Clock in the Afternoon
Post Meridiem. The house meet according to adjournment.

p. 50