The Lower House. 289

carressed who are most active in the Maltreatment and Oppression
of the good People of this Province.
2) We are now as heretofore we were, fully convinced that
Heats and Annimosities are an ill Foundation for the Pursuit of the
publick Good. Wherefore we then did as we now shall, Endeavour
what lies in our Power to avoid giving rise to such, And we Humbly
Hope that no Artfull or colourable pretence will be made use of
to Impede the Publick Business. On our part we do with Truth and
Unfeigned Sincerity assure your Excellency that we are come with a
Hearty Desire and firm Resolution to do everything in our Power
to promote the General Good and Welfare of the Province of Mary-
land than which we have nothing more near at Heart.
3) Your Excellency is pleased to Declare, as you often have,
Your Good Intentions for the Welfare of this Province and People,
and we are truly Sorry that your kind Resolutions so often Pub-
lished should hitherto be frustrated and rendered void by the Malev-
olent Influence of Evil Councils, such may Gain to themselves
Private Advantage while the Publick are Sacrificed to their avarice
and Ambition and his Majesties poor Lloyal and Dutifull Sub-
jects Intirely Destitute of means to Redress themselves, sinking
under the Yoke of Bondage, be well pleased that they fare no worse,
than being brought to a State of Villenaye.
Since your Excellency have been pleased to give us such strong
Assurances of your Willingness to give a Helping Hand to remove
every Obstacle to the Happiness and Prosperity of the Province,
we will Humbly presume in full hopes of your kind Concurrence and
Redress, to lay before you, such Aggrievances and Oppressions as
we take to be real Obstacles to it's Prosperity and Happiness.

L. H. J.
Lib. No. 45

And We most Humbly hope your Excellency will not attribute
the Just Discharge of our Duty, or our Moving with Decency, Order,
and good Manners in these points wherein we feel our selves Sen-
sibly Affected, to the want of Moderation and Temper, or a Due
Regard to your Person.
We assure your Excellency that we shall with the greatest Zeal
and Coolness of Temper pursue the General Good so far as we can,
and Avoid as Destructive Precipices, any Sinister or artfull Prac-
tices of self Intrested or Designing Persons let their pretences be

veiled over by what Gloss soever and that such Shall in no ways

Influence our words or Actions.
4) We hope your Excellency had the Publick as well as his
Lordships Intrest at Heart in promoting the Continuance of the
Payment of Rents and Alienation fines as the same had for some time
before been, by a Duty on Tobacco, the Staple of this Province, and
likewise that of passing the Currency Emitted by his Lordship and
the Good People of this Province in payments to the Clergy and
Officers, and with great Submission we take leave to Judge favour-
19

p. 791