The Lower House. 551

Bill for repealing the said Act is prepared & read the first &
second Times by especiall Ord^r & past which was so endorst
And Sent to the Upper House by Maj Harris & Cap^t Dent w^th
the foll^o Mess^a viz.

By the Lower House of Assembly July the 20^th 1726.
May it please your Honours.
It having been represented to this House by some of the
members from most of the Counties w^thin this Province that
notwithstanding the good Intent design'd by An Act entituled
an Act for the relief and release of poor distressed Prisoners
for Debt it proves of very pernicious Consequence, And it
hitherto appearing rather to give Encouragement to such
persons whose Inclinations lead them to act the Part of
Knaves than of honest Men, We have thought it absolutely
necessary to repeale that Act, as We accordingly have in the
manner herewith sent, And have made a Resolve in this
House that for the future no Petition for the Relief of any
distressed prisoner for Debt be reced in this House but such
as shall come to this House recomended from and Signd by
the Justices of the County wherein the pet^r is detain'd (or
the Major part of them) in Court sitting who certainly must
be best acquainted w^th such Petitioner's reall Condition and
who 'tis not doubted will allways take particular Care that
such Pet^rs Case be stated in the truest Light, And We appre-
hend from thence that none but such as are reall Objects and
worthy relief will meet w^th Encouragem^t to apply to the Legis-
lature for their Aid, And thereby all Villany will be detected,
And the Charge to the Country in a great Part lessened.
Sign'd p Ord^r M Jenifer Cl. lo. ho.

They return and say they delivered them.
The House adjourns till to Morrow Morning Eight of the
Clock.

L. H. J.

Thursday Morning July the 21^st 1726.
The House meet according to Adjournment
Yesterdays Proceedings are read
John Hall Esq^r w^th three others from the Upper House
delivers M^r Speaker the following Message viz.

By the Upper House of Assembly July 21^st 1726
Gent
On reading the Bill prepar'd by your House for advancing
the Staple of this province We are of Opinion that it is now
too late to cut up part of the present Crop (which is not likely

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