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Mr Speaker communicates to the House the following Message
from the Governor viz
Gentlemen of the Lower House of Assembly,
I acquainted you by my former Message in general Terms, what
his Lordship had been pleased to signify to me in relation to his Quit
Rents, but since you desire a more particular Explanation of his
Lordship's Expectations in this matter, I must inform you, that he
cannot think any Composition reasonable under Five Thousand
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L. H. J.
Liber No. 46
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Pounds Sterling per annum, and although what he now receives
yearly may not amount fully to that Sum, occasioned by the Arrears,
which will certainly come in some Time or other, as the Lands are
chargeable with them, yet it falls so little short, that in the Length
of the Time for which he may be willing such Composition shall
continue, his increasing Income must necessarily exceed it, in a very
great Proportion, his Rents being augmented within these five years
to almost four Hundred Pounds per Annum, besides a great many
Certificates not yet examined, many still in Hands of the Surveyors,
and Land Warrants located for great Quantities of Land, but not yet
executed.
This his Lordship is so sensible of, that no other motive than what
the Lower House expressed in their Address in the Session 1742,
could induce his Lordship to hearken to any Proposal about his Quit
Rents, but since in that Address in which they made a Proposal about
the Quit Rents, the Lower House declared, " That they were inclined
to do all in their Power, to bring about that good Harmony which
had theretofore subscribed between his Lordship and his Ancestors,
and the good People of this Province, and that if his Lordship was
inclinable to come into their Proposal, they hoped the Directions
which should be given to his Governor for the Purposes aforesaid,
might contribute towards accomplishing that good Agreement be-
tween his Lordship and Tenants so much desired." And as you
now desire me to communicate to you any Circumstances which I
may think conducive to the Completion of this Matter, I must frankly
tell you, that a Disposition in you not to be less forward in what may
concern the Honour of Government, and Defence of the Province,
than his Lordship's Inclination for the well being of his Tenants,
will be the most likely Method to obtain the great End of Ease and
Happiness to the whole Province, and consequently Satisfaction to
his Lordship, and give me leave to assure you I shall reckon it one
of the most fortunate Occurrences in my Life, if I could be in any
Manner instrumental in procuring his Lordships Approbation of
what may be concluded on here in a matter which so nearly concerns
the Quiet and Welfare of Maryland. T. Bladen
The House adjourns 'til 2 of the Clock.
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p. 500
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