The Lower House. 553

and Vessels being Residents of this Province &c. and the following
Message Viz. (See page 476)
The House Adjourns until the Morrow Morning at 9 of the Clock.

L. H. J.

Friday Morning, May 25^th 1744
The House met according to adjournment &c.

The Bill, entituled, an Act for punishment of Horse Stealers, and
other offenders was Read, and with the amendments proposed,
passed for Ingrossing.
Capt. David Wilson, a Member Returned to serve for Somerset
County, appeared in the House, Ordered That Col. King and Col.
Gale go to the Upper House, to see him Qualified; They Return, and
acquaint M^r Speaker they saw him qualified in the usual manner, by
taking the Oaths to the Government &c.
The Gentleman took his seat in the House
M^r Speaker communicates to the House the following Message
communicated to him, &c. Viz.
Gentlemen of the Lower House of Assembly.
As the latest advices from England leave us very little, if any,
room to doubt of a French war, I once more Recommend to you a
Provision for Arms and Ammunition for the necessary Defence of
the Province, and hope you will give it in such a way, that the Gov-
ernment may with Honour Accept it: The offer of it in any other
manner will be only a mispending of time, and cannot possibly con-
ceal a manifest Resolution in you, notwithstanding your Professions
to the contrary, to leave this Country destitute of the means to pro-
tect it self at this dangerous and critical Juncture.
I don't find that you have yet had any Regard to my Recommen-
dation of a Militia Law, which I think very Extraordinary consid-
ering the necessity of it. T. Bladen.
M^r John Courts, a member Returned to serve for Charles County,
appeared in the House Ordered, That M^r Smallwood and M^r William
Wilkinson go to the Upper House to see him Qualified. They return

May 25

and acquaint M^r Speaker they saw him Qualified in the usual man-
ner, by taking the several Oaths to the Government &c.
The Gentleman took his Seat in the House
M^r Magruder from the Committee of Aggrievances and Courts
of Justice, delivers M^r Speaker the following Report, Viz.
By the Committee of Aggrievances and Courts of Justice.
May 25. 1744.
Your Committee have Viewed the following offices Viz. The
Clerks office of the House of Delegates, and find the following
Books, containing the Journals of Assembly, for the years respec-
tively mentioned, in Bound Books, one of which wants new Binding,

p. 409