170 Assembly Proceedings, October 3-November 2, 1728.

U. H. J.

Clergy of this province to an Abatement at the most but an equiva-
lent to every Individual Inhabitant in this time of the Common
misfortune of the Province & from which we conceive they ought
not to be exempted by any Rules of Religion Justice or Law.
This proceeding will in our humble Apprehension appear the
more reasonable since the Annual Allowance raised for the use of
the Clergy in this Province amount to 1097320 Pounds of Tobacco

p. 392

A Burthen & Charge to great and insupportable for the Inhabitants
to bear after the Abatem^t is made which is designed by the Tobacco
Bill from the Labours of the Inhabitants unless A moderate and
Reasonable Price in Common with the other Creditors of Tobacco
debts should be paid for the same and after that rate the said Quan-
tity of 1097320 pounds of Tobacco when divided amongst all the
Clergy of this province will be about 30000 Pounds of Tobacco
Clear of all Charges and deductions to each of them one with an-
other and that sold at the rate proposed by the Bill will be about
150 Pounds current money of this province If their Revenue should
be paid in Tobacco with the deduction of a fourth they will have
the Advantage of the Market of Tobacco with the other Inhabi-
tants
We cannot but flatter ourselves that your Excellency will Con-
tinue in this particular your Tenderness to this Country & discoun-
tenance & discourage the endeavours of any persons in any man-
ner & in any Place to destroy what is thought to be so Absolutely
necessary for the preservation and well Being of Maryland
Subscribed by all the Members of both Houses

Ordered that John Hall Philip Lee Nicholas Lowe & Charles
Calvert Esq^r attended by the members appointed by the Lower
House wait upon his Excellency and present the same
Read the second time the Bill for Ascertaining the form of the
Oath of Judge or Justice.
On Motion made the Question being put whether the said Bill
Pass as the Oath stands therein.

Resolved in the Affirmative. Whereupon it is Ordered to be
thus endors'd viz.

By the Upper House of Assembly Nov^r the 2^d 1728
Read the second time & will pass.
Signed p Order Geo Plater Cl. Up. Ho.

Sent to the Lower House so Endors'd by Col^o Mathew Tilgh-
man Ward