The Upper House. 175

veniencyes to Attend such a bill at present have referred the
further Consideracon thereof till next Sessions

Signed p ord^r M: Jenifer Cl. Lo. ho.

The following Message prepared, Considered of & Agreed
upon Viz.

By the Upper house of Assembly, Aug^t the 5^th 1721

Gentlemen. In answer to your Message of Yesterday by
M^r Smith and M^r Dashiel it may not be unseasonable to put
you in Mind of the Practice of all our neighbouring Govern-
ments who without doubt find their Account in Employing
Agents, as well to represent upon every Turn the Wants and
Conveniencies of Each Colony as to obviate what may be
proposed to the prejudice thereof, we are Sorry to find that
any of the members of your house have so mean an opinion
of Col Blakiston's Conduct as to make it a Question whether
or no it hath been of any Advantage to this Province we are
well Assured that he hath been indefatigable in the Service

U. H. J,

thereof by Employing his Good Offices at Court as well as
with my Lord Proprietary upon all Occasions wherein the
Generall Good of this Province (to which he Declares himself
at all times to be strictly attached) hath at any time been
brought into Dispute A GentP of Good Interest at Court &
in Parliament too, Seems the more necessary to us at this
time that by Uniting his Interest to that of our Lord
Proprietary we may hope for Success in the negotiation
of all such Publick Affairs as relate Imediately or more
remotely to the Interest and Trade of this Province, we have
no manner of Inclination to Burthen our Country with un-
necessary Expence but We take it to be a Duty Incumbent on
us to Advise the makeing Provision Against Every unforseen
Emergency which may happen in England And may for want
of proper remedies and Applications be of fatall Consequences
to the Weal of this Province All which Considered we are of
Opinion that the Continuance of an Agent will very much
Conduce to the Publick Good and we are farther of Opinion
that Col Blakiston who is so particularly Acquainted with the
Interest & Circumstances thereof is the properest Person to

p. 100

be Employed in the negotiation of the Affaires of this Prov-
ince as they may regard Either the Court the Parliament or
our Lord Proprietary himself for Altho we are of the same
Sentiments w^th you in Depending upon a very Easy and free
Access to his Lordships Person & favour yet the necessity
remaining as before of a proper person to assist his Lordship

p. 101