The Lower House. 129

his L^pps Charter and agreeable to the constitution and publick
Weal of this province; wherefore if you approve thereof, we
shall willingly Joyn with you in directing the alteration above
propos'd to be made in the form of the Oath to be hereafter
taken by all the Judges of the Courts of Judicature.

Sign'd p order Sam^ll Skippon Cl. Up Ho.

A Supplementary Bill to the Act for relief of poor Debtors
and ascertaining the manner of Tenders of Tobacco was read
and
The Question being put whether all false packt Tobacco
shall be burnt or not,

It was Carried in the Negative
Thereupon the Bill was Committed for amendment
A Bill to regulate the practice of Entring Caveats in the
Land office was read the first Time and the Question put
whether the Bill shall have a second reading or not. Carried
in the Negative, and thereupon the Bill is rejected.
Resolved that the Committee of acc^ts make allowances till
Saturday next.
John Hill Esq^r from the upper House Delivers M^r Speaker
the Supplementary Bill to the Circuit Law thus Endorst Viz :

By the Upper House of Assembly October 22^d 1724.
[Gentlemen]
On Reading this Bill we observe first That to allow Bills
of Exceptions in Criminall Causes will give great En-
couragem^t to ill people who through want of Experience in
the Clerks and other officers attending the Judges in their

L. H. J.

Circuits may too often escape punishment (tho' they Justly
deserved it) by the Assistance of Council. Secondly the al-
lowing the County Justices, who shall be associated to the
Judges voices in Criminal Causes, will be an Innovation made
upon the Brittish Constitution, to which we desire to conform
as farr as is consistent with our own. Thirdly, the Restraint
upon the Judges in Petty felonies seems to be of ill conse-
quence for they may well try such and so many as in their dis-
cretion there may be Time for and as the aggravation of the
Crime may deserve; and referr the Rest to the County Courts,
which will be a Great Check to Villainy. Fourthly, to allow
of Removalls to the Provinciall Court will bring frequent
Tryalls of matters of fact thither w^ch is contrary to the de-
sign of the former Act; for which Reasons this Bill will not
pass as it now stands.
Sign'd p order Samuell Skippon Cl Up: Ho.

p 156