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U. H. J.
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Opportunitys to observe how far the Assize Law (which is now Ex-
pired) has answered the ends proposed by it, I must indeed be of
opinion in Generall that such a Law has or may be at least of great
Ease to Evidences and Jurymen whose Attendance at Provinciall
Courts must have heretofore been very expensive and Inconvenient
to them.
The Act for regulacon of Ordinarys Expires likewise with this
Sessions what reason induced you last Session to Continue it only
for one year, I am at a Loss to Determine, Certain I am that such
a Law when first Devised was Esteemed beneficiall to the Country.
If you are of a Contrary opinion you will decline it and their Regu-
lacons must Return to its more Antient Course
I cannot but highly Commend the Care that has hitherto been
taken to Inspect and amend the Ill Condicon of our Publick Records
latest Posterity who must reap the Chiefest benefitts from it will
remember the present Age with Gratitude for that Security in their
Estates and that soe Commendable a Work may be fully Perfected
It may not be improper for a Committee of both houses to Inspect
what the Commissioners have done therein this will give them a
fair opportunity of receiving the Publick thanks for their fidelity
and Care in discharge of their Duty.
As the new Copies may be fittest for Dayly use you will Consider
whether a Separate Repositary for the old Records may not be
proper to secure us from a total loss of all in Case of Fire or other
unavoidable Accident.
I am sorry to find that the Journalls of both houses of Assembly
are not in the same method for perpetuity as other Records are, they
would be of the greatest and most necessary use to Posterity in as
much as all Proceedings in Legislation are of the utmost Importance
to the Publick it seems indeed to require the Recording of them
otherwise then in Loose Paper and seperate Journalls Ruin and
annihilation will sooner attend them in such Parcells than if they
were transcribed into large and strong books without this precau-
tion our Transactions in Assembly will be hereafter only known by
uncertain Traditions. Whereas Records will speak for themselves
and us and save our memorys from the Odium of so fatall a Neglect.
Gentlemen Thus have I premised what at Present Occurs to me
worthy your Consideracon your own Vigilence for the publick good
will I doubt not supply the rest I do Earnestly Invite you all to the
pursuit of your real Interest avoid strife and Contention for of them
comes no real proffitt to any, But be assured that such as Promote
Generall Unity and Harmony amongst us render Service most ac-
ceptable to God, and most beneficiall to their Country; let not Jeal-
ousies or fears (the bane of all human Society) have place amongst
you, Consider them as the direful Weapons whereby the Common
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