336 Assembly Proceedings, October ^-November 3, 1722.

U.H.J.

Whereupon ordered that James Bowles and John Rousby

Esq^rs do go and acquaint the Lower House that his Honour

P 2

requires them to Attend him in the Council Chamber and
present their Speaker for his Honour's Approbation.
They return and say they have delivered their Message.
. The whole House accordingly attend and present Robert
Ungle Esq^r for their Speaker with which Choice His Honour
declares himself well pleased
And then his Honour open'd the Session with the following
Speech Viz.

Gentlemen of the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly
The happy Agreement between me and the late General As-
sembly in the Several Sessions gives me great Hope of the like
good Harmony with the present now Assembled; for as I have
ever preferred the Good of the Country to my own private
Interest so I am fully determined to continue in the same
Resolution
Gentlemen. I have it in Command from the Proprietor to
acquaint you that he has not dissented to the Law for lessening
Officers Fees, Believing you yourselves will (as the Multi-
plicity of Business increases) think fit to put it upon the former
Establishment
As to the late Tobacco Law, I cannot say whether his Lord-
ship has, or has not Assented to it; but daily expect Orders
from England relating thereto: and in the mean while, what-
ever may be thought on for the General Good, and Satisfaction
of the People, I shall heartily concur in.
Our Militia in my opinion deserves your Consideration for
altho we are at perfect Peace with the Indians, and our neigh-
bouring Colonies have happily concluded their Treaties with
them; Yet a well Disciplined Militia is a Grace to a Country
and necessary upon any Emergency. It was proposed to the
Lower House in the Late Assembly that every Captain should
have the Power of Levying the Fine on those under his Com-
mand, Who absented themselves from the Musters, which
would be a means to have the Militia in good Order: But as the
Lower House would not then consent to it, I could not think
of making any Step without their Concurrence; For I shall
ever think it a Duty incumbent upon me (in matters that
Concern the General Welfare of the People) fto rely on]
both Houses; therefore I recommend this to your Consider-
ation.

p. 3

The Practice of Running Tobacco over Potomack into