The Upper House. 465

is to such a laudable Purpose, as the Defence of the Province; The
Sum arising thereby so far from being more than sufficient, that many
Accidents may happen that will require a much greater Sum and the
manner of raising the same at present so little Burthensome, that it
is not felt: But we have (besides our other motives) more regard to
the Satisfaction and Ease of the People, as well as to the Continu-
ance of such a Law, than to consent to any greater Imposition on
Trade, for the People might then feel a Burthen, and the Merchants
might perhaps be influenced by such who wish a Destruction to the
Law, to apply for a Dissent: We shall only further add, that it is
not suitable to the Characters of Legislators, to play at fast and loose
which you now attempt, by first offering two Alternatives to Our
Choice, we fix upon One, and then you tell us, no, you shall have the
Other: But to put an End to this Matter, we repeat Our Resolution
not to depart from our Choice of nine years, upon any other Terms
than your Consent to a number of Years and to the End of the next
Session, so that now we return the Compliment of a Choice; and
we assure you that which ever you may think fit to choose, we shall
not tell you our pleasure to be, that you should take the other
Since you assert, that there are many Laws in being against the
Roman Catholicks, we shall sincerely take it as a very particular
Favour, if you will be pleased to acquaint us, what Laws you ap-
prehend to be in Force here against Roman Catholicks: If you
should be unwilling to gratify us with this Information your men-
tion of Laws in Being may seem to be thrown in order to prevent
any being made, tho' you declare yourselves not backward in making
Laws for that purpose
To Conclude with your Request of a Conference, we answer, that
you have now fully our Resolution with Regard to the Bill for Arms
&c^a But if you think his Majestys Service or the Safety and Happi-
ness of the province can be in any manner promoted by a Conference
we do most chearfully agree to it
Signed p order. John Ross Cl Up Ho.

U. H. J.
Calvert
Paper

No. 735

p. 51

Adjourned till to morrow morning ten of the Clock.

p. 52

Friday Morning 16^th May 1740

This House met again according to Adjournment Present as
yesterday
Adjourned till two of the Clock in the Afternoon

Eodem Die post Meridiem

This House met again according to Adjournment Present as
in the Morning
The following Message is sent by Edmund Jenings Esq^r
30

May 16