The Upper House. 497

tainty We are under of having those other Bills with their Usual
Duration; It is only in your Power to remove Our Fears by satis-
fying us in this Point, and if for this Reason you shall think fit to
forego that other so necessary a Bill, let the Consequence lye at your
Door

The Precedency you so often mention, We must again tell you
can have no manner of Weight since it is well known all the Laws
made in a Session will receive their last Sanction at the very same
time
Had your Honours been pleased to communicate this Scheme to
Us at our first meeting, the Business might have been short and some
Thousands of Pounds saved to the Country, but We are now sorry
to find that the Obtaining of Powers inconsistent with the Rights
and Liberties of a free People seems to be the Principal View whilst
zeal for his Majestys Service and Safety of those People accom-
panied with Groundless personal Reflections obliquely aimed at
the members of this House, is made the Specious Pretence
Since then the keeping in Our Possession the Bill for Arms &c^a
is the only means left us to secure the accustomed Duration of Our
other Laws We request your Honours (in whose Power alone it is)
to remove that Obstacle and then that Bill will be immediately sent
you, otherwise We do, and always shall persist in Our former
Resolution
After what is here said and the Offer now made, We shall not be
afraid of Submitting Our Conduct in this matter to his most Sacred
Majesty, or his Ministry at home and shall take Care that things be
represented their in their true Light
Signed p Order M Macnemara Cl lo ho.

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

U. H. J.
Calvert
Paper
No. 735

A Bill from the Lower House by Mess^rs Stoughton and Magruder
Entituled An Act for Limitation of Officers fees thus Endorsed

By the Lower House of Assembly 5 May 1740
Read the first time and Ordered to lye on the Table
Signed p Order M Macnemara Cl Lo Ho.

By the Lower House of Assembly 30 May 1740
Read the second time and will pass
Signed p Order M Macnemara Cl Lo H.

The following Message is sent by Col Hammond
32

p. 89