184 Assembly Proceedings, August 5-September 28, 1745.

L.H.J Liber No. 46

'til now the recommending a Provision for Arms and Ammunition, that Matters which most nearly concerned the Ease and Convenience of the People, and lay nearest their Wishes, might take the first Place, and find no Interruption, at least from me in their Progress. But you will give me leave to say, I think it by no means convincing, that the Provision for so necessary a Fund should be put off, because of the unusual Length of Time already spent this Session: The Safety of the Country demands such a Provision, and every Argu- ment that recommends a proper Regard for the Ease and Conveni- ence of the People, may with, at least as much Force and Justice, be urged for a due Care for their Security and Defence; and surely the Time, which need be very little, cannot be better spent than to so good a Purpose. There are now several Bills prepared greatly ad- vantageous to the Country, and agreeable to their most earnest De- sires: Is it natural to believe your Constituents would in the same Session in which they obtain so much, make so strange a Return, as to refuse this Fund, which cannot be made use of but for their Honour and Security ? And would not my Fate seem very particu- lar, that at a Time when I am going to pass the most favourite Laws with the People. I should be denied a Bill that has been given in every Governor's Time for these forty years ? What you mention with regard to the Sum already raised, I sup- pose must proceed from your being unacquainted with what money remains on that Fund, which is by no means proportioned, or suffi- cient for the Purchase of Arms and Ammunition; therefore I desire you will once more take this Affair into your Consideration, and make such a Provision as will be suitable, to the Defence and Safety of the Province, and other Exigencies which may happen in this Time of an open and declared war. T. Bladen Which being read, and a Motion being made to refer the Con- sideration thereof to the first Day of November next, The Question was put, whether the Consideration thereof be referred to that Day, or not? Resolved in the Affirmative. For the Affirmative Mr Bond Mr Courts Mr Paca Abell Smallwood John Hall Harris W. Wilkinson Buchanan Carroll N. Goldsborough Wootton p. Hammond Lloyd Sprigg Worthington I. Goldsborough Addison Hen. Hall Hooper Bordley Smith Lecompte Pemberton Jos. Hall Pearce T. Hammond Brome Hyland Purnell. Mackall Sherredine