326 Assembly Proceedings, June 17-July 8, 1746.

L.H.J.
Liber No. 46

words was accompanied with scornful and insulting Looks and Ac-
tions, not easily to be expressed, tho' firmly imprinted on his Memory
All which this House conceive was said and Acted to intimidate him
the said Smith, and others whom it might influence or deter, from
doing their Duty, or Acting with Freedom in any future Debate
Upon fully and most maturely considering of which, it is unani-
mously resolved by this House, That the Liberty of Speech on every
Debate and Matter in Assembly is and ought to be free, and that
no member ought to be questioned or impeached for any thing said
or done in discharge of his Duty in the House of Delegates, by Any
Person whatever, or in any manner whatever, other than by the
House it self. Resolved, That His Excellency Thomas Bladen Esq,
by evilly treating M^r Walter Smith in manner aforesaid, hath highly
violated the fundamental Rights and Privileges of the House of
Delegates
Resolved, That this House doth Appoint the Committee of Laws
to draw up a proper Remonstrance to be Presented to His Excellency
on the Subject matter aforesaid; and ordered, that they bring in the
same To morrow morning. Maj. Hall from the Committee of Laws
delivers M^r Speaker A Bill entituled, An Act continuing an Act enti-

p. 591

tuled, An Act for the speedy Recovery of small debts out of Court
before a single Justice of the Peace; which was read the first Time,
and ordered to lie on the Table.
The Letter from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle mentioned in
the Governor's Speech at the opening of this Session was ordered to
be entered on the lournal; and it is as follows

S^r White Hall April 9^th 1746

I am commanded to acquaint you, that His Majesty has been
pleased to order five Battalions of his Troops under the Command
of Lieu^t General S^t Clair, to go from hence, as soon as possible, with
A Sufficient Convoy of Men of War, to Louisburg, in order to be
employed together with the Regiment of Major Gen^l Frampton,
which has been some Time ordered to embark for Louisburg, and
with the two Regiments sent thither from Gibraltar, and also with
such Troops as shall be Levied for that Purpose in North America
for the immediate Reduction of Canada: And I am commanded by
his Majesty to signify his Pleasure to you (as I do to the other Gov-
ernors of the said Colonies) that you should forthwith make the
necessary Dispositions for raising as many Men, as the Shortness of
the Time will permit, within your Government, to be employed,
in Concert with his Majesties Regular Forces, on this important
Service. It is hoped, that Lieu^t General St. Clair will be able to sail
from hence, with the Troops under his Command, the latter End of
April, or the Beginning of May.