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Ordered, That the Committee of Laws prepare and bring in such
Bill
On Motion of a Member, That a Bill be brought in, to obtain out
of the Loan office, such a Sum of Money, as formerly granted for
other Prisons, to Build a prison in Worcester County; Leave is
given.
Mr Speaker communicated the Governor's Answer to the Address
of this House, Viz.
Gentlemen of the Lower House of Assembly
I am very much pleased, this time of our Meeting proves agreeable
to you, and that you consider my urging you in such strong Terms
to make a Provision for Arms and Ammunition, to proceed from
my Zeal for his Majesty's Service, and good wishes for the Welfare
and Quiet of this Province: This piece of Justice you do me may
very fully Serve as an Answer to that part of your Address, where
you seem to be at a Loss to know, why I so particularly recommend
the manner of that provision; however to speak more plainly, you
cannot but be sensible I Recommended such a Bill to you the last
Session, which from the Consideration of the War with Spain, the
Consequences naturally to be apprehended, and the Affair of the
Indians, seemed then to be extreamly necessary; notwithstanding
which, you sent up a Bill of that kind so framed, that it was Im-
possible to Receive it without casting the most unjust Reflections on
the Government; and besides that, in other Respects it will not
possibly answer the purposes designed.
I shall be always very Tender of your privileges; but at the same
time, I must own the Duty of my Station will ever oblige me to
point out to you any Method I can suggest, as the most effectual for
the service of our Sovereign, and safety of the Province; and to
make use of what Reasonings I think may be of weight, to engage
your Compliance; And altho your warm professions of Steady
Loyalty, inviolable attachment to his most Sacred Majesty's person
and Government, and regard for your own Safety, may make all
other Arguments useless, and free me from every Apprehension of
your not demonstrating that Loyalty and Regard for the Safety of
the Province at this critical Juncture; yet I cannot be perswaded
the Consideration of future Misunderstandings, and putting a Stop
to public Business, can be of so Little weight as you seem to make
them, in the Consultations of a Legislature, at any time, and much
less at this Important Crisis, when his Majesty's Crown is in Danger
of being invaded by a popish Pretender; This so alarming a Circum-
stance will give you an opportunity of avoiding the Insinuation you
mention (which was very far from my thoughts) of your want
of Loyalty to our King, and Duty to your constituents, by forward-
ing a Bill for provision of Arms in the usual manner, rather than
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L. H. J.
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