The Lower House. 299

the English Statutes are made to opperate in that part of his
Ma^tys plantations called Jamaica, which proceeding does not at
all seem to Support some late Resolutions addressed to me
Setting forth among other things, that such Generall Statutes
of England as are not restrain'd by words of Locall Limita-
tion, are in force in Maryland, another part of his plantations.
Were they in force, what needs to make Laws to Establish
them, as in the Case before you of Jamaica? The disallowance
of which Act, with the reasons given for it Shews plainly
that it is not thought proper to Suffer them to be introduced,
As not Competent but Mischeivous in many Cases And the
Attempting to make the Act shows as plainly, that they are

L. H. J.

not Lookd on as Laws of that Countrey, without a Law of
their own to inforce them
I must take notice indeed at the same time that this Act was
represented to his Majesty as not proper for his allowance,
it was recomended to him that if any of the particular Statutes
of England should be look'd on as necessary & Convenient for
them, and his Ma^ty should think them reasonable that he
would be pleas'd to allow them to be introduced by a Law of
their own making: and in this particular I esteem myself very
fortunate it being so agreeable to that part of my Instruction
set forth in your Address, Gentlemen of the Lower House,
where I recomend, that when any of the English Statute Laws
are found convenient, and well Adapted to your Circum-
stances you ought especially to Enact them de novo, or such
part of them, as you think proper for you; and happy would
it be for you all to Conduct yourselves accordingly.
What Laws Rules Customs, and Usages, are undoubted
Certain, constantly adhered to, and known among you, farr
be it from me to attempt to Alter, but for the Common Good,
at your own request in Generall Assembly Legally Convened ;
any more, than I will Submit any alteracons to be made by the
opinions or Resolutions of others.
In all your Debates let me recomend to you Gentlemen of
both Houses, Temper, moderation, and Good will towards
one another of which I perceive from your Late Journalls,
Some thing was wanting in the dispute relating to the Al-
lowances due to the Council of State A Body of men Chose
out of the ablest and worthiest among you to Serve the pub-
lick, and as such have found their Reward from their
Country long before, and since the Act of Assembly, by which
the twelve pence p hh^d was raised towards the maintaining
the Dignity and Station of my Lievtenant Governo^r and for
such other uses as to me should seem meet, at the" making of
which Act it was not so much as Surmis'd that their Support
should come from me and had it been Expressed, I would

p. 196