x Letter of Transmission.

votes from Anne Arundel, Charles, Somerset, Cecil, or Queen Anne's. An-
napolis was not represented. There seems no particular significance in the vote.

In the manuscripts contained in the collections of the Maryland Historical
Society are found the following original papers probably all intended to be
presented at this Session: Petitions of Joseph Mariner, of Kent County, debtor
(Black Book 6 No. 41 and 44); of Levin Hill, debtor (Black Book 4 No. 61,
6 No. 42); of Archibald Caldwell of Dorchester County, debtor (Black Book 9
No. 82); of Richard Hill, of Anne Arundel County, debtor (Black Book 8
No. 76); Joseph Williams, of Anne Arundel County; petition about deed to
William's Range in Prince George's County (Black Book 6 No. 46); petition
of Archibald Simpson about repair of public record books (Black Book 6
No. 55); petition of Jacob Gore, cryer of Talbot County, about his fees
(Black Book 6 No. 48); petition of David Peterkin of Dorchester County ask-
ing to be relieved from a bond to keep the peace (Black Book 6 No. 45); peti-
tion of Nicholas Hammond to be relieved from responsibility for his servants
breaking goal (Black Book 6 No. 47).

The General Assembly which was elected in 1739 had fully as a resultless a
Convention—though there was better excuse for the ineffectiveness of the meet-
ing. Colonel John Mackall was again chosen as Speaker. Ogle warned the
Assembly to beware of contention, suggested that laws be passed permitting-
the dues of the " back inhabitants " to be paid in paper instead of tobacco, and
recommended that the temporary duty for purchasing arms and ammunition
be continued, with especial view to the danger of that war with Spain, which
actually came about in the next year. He also hoped that an arrangement
might be made with the Anglican clergy whereby the forty pound tax per poll
might be paid them in paper, instead of tobacco. The first days augured well
and many private and local bills which were introduced were in a fair way
toward passage. An interesting proposal was one to grant Abraham Wood of
St. Mary's a patent for his " Method of building a Mill which will grind any
manner of Grain, without the assistance of Wind, Water, or Horses "—we
wonder what that method was ?

Trouble soon began. The Lower House, in their address to Governor Ogle,
spoke of the dissention in the last year and that address was printed, so that
the Upper House felt itself obliged to rehearse the story to the Governor on a
long defense. Ogle refused to say which side was then wrong, but praised the
Upper House for its moderation at the opening of the present Session.

Shortly afterwards, the Lower House again took the initiative in what soon
became a quarrel with the Upper one. On May 29, they sent a message (and,
by the way, both Houses had returned to their old custom of sending messages
by members), complaining that the Upper House had rejected a bill which had