The Upper House. 13

By the Lower House of Assembly October the 14^th 1727

Read the second time by Especial order and will Pass.
Signed p Order M. Jenifer Cl. Lo. Ho.

Which Bill was read the first time and Ordered to lye on the table.

By the Lower House of Assembly October the 14^th 1727
May it please your Hon^rs
We herewith send your Honours the Report of our Committee
of Agrievances and Courts of Justice relateing to the ascertaining
the form of an Oath of Judge or Justice and a Bill drawn thereon
Signed p Order M. Jenifer Cl. Low. Ho.

By the Committee of Agrievances and Courts of Justice
October the 14^th 1727

This Committee pursuant to the Generall Instructions given them
have made diligent Enquiry into the Oath of Office taken by the
severall Magistrates within this Province since his Lordships Dis-
sent to the Act of Assembly for ascertaining the oath of Judge or
Justice and find that scarce any two Courts have taken the same
oath of Office the Magistrates of the severall Courts haveing framed
and taken for that Purpose such an Oath as was most agreeable to
their own Sentiments.
This Committee further find that severall worthy Persons Com-
missioned to Act as Magistrates within this Province scruple taking
an oath of Office at all there being no Act of Assembly here but
that which the Lord Proprietary has been pleased to Dissent to, to
ascertain the same, which must Doubtless render our happy Con-
stitution lyable to Destruction and give the magistrates (if not
timely prevented) an opportunity of acting after the most Arbritary
manner, which occasions the greatest Uneasiness to the good people
of this Province and is humbly by your Committee submitted as
most Worthy the Speedy Consideracon of the House.
Signed p Order Nich: Hammond Cl Com.

Read and ordered to lye on the Table.
A Bill from the lower house by M^r John Chairs and M^r William
Elliot Entituled An Act for Dividing Saint Pauls parish in Queen
Anns County and for Erecting a Parish out of the same thus En-
dors'd Viz.

By the Lower House of Assembly October the 13^th 1727
Read the First time. Signed p Order M. Jenifer Cl. Lo Ho.

U. H. J.