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

L. H. J.
Liber No. 46

Elector by the Choyce of a Representative deprives himself of the
Liberty of Questioning his Behaviour in the House unless he does it
in a Manner that may be Agreeable to the Representative. But
should I suppose every one of you would be so considerate as to over
look such little Particularities of Behaviour; Yet the matter inquired
into may be of such a Nature as by asking Questions, the Elector
may shew such Dissatisfaction as the Representative may be ruffled
and Construe and loock on his Inquisitiveness and Disapprobation
as a Distrust of his Loyalty to His Majesty or Care for the Welfare
of the Province consequently not within the rules of good Sense or
Good manners but a Personal Abuse; And then perhaps on a Com-
plaint made by such Representative (If he is a leading Man or one of
the Majority) the poor Elector may be severely censured Committed
and loaded with Fees not only as a Punishment to himself, but as a
Terror to others. As for Instance; Suppose an Elector should hap-
pen to ask his representative, Whether the Act passed this Session
for the Canada Expedition was endeavoured to be clogged or ob-
structed by any other Bill being tacked to it and the representative
should answer, there was such Attempt and that he himself joyned
in it; if upon that the Elector should ask why he did so and the other
should reply, It was more necessary for the Honour and the Good
of the Country that the Government should be distressed, then that
the Provision should be made for his Majesties Forces if then the
Planter not being let into the schemes of his Representative but
warmed with a Spirit of Loyalty for his King, should unwarily drop
any smart Expression disapproving of his representatives Conduct,
This with a little management may be termed a personal Abuse.
Again Suppose an Elector who is either at Law, or fearful of being

p. 654

harrassed by Attendance at Annapolis as a Iuryman or Witness
should ask his Representative, Whether there was any Vote proposed
to pass Bill for Arms &c^a The Money to be Lodged in the Treas-
urers Hands as formerly in Case an Officers Fee Bill and Assize Law,
Could be obtained. Suppose the Representative should answer There
was such a Vote proposed, and he was against it, and thereupon the
Elector being sensible of the Charges of the Law or Attendance at
Annapolis should blame and perhaps with some Asperity of Lan-
guage reprove his Representative and ask another Question Viz.
Whether this Motion was entered on the Proceedings and he should
be told by the Representative that it was determined by a Majority
that it should not be entered on the Journal; Suppose such an Answer
should provoke the Elector to ask this Question, Were the Majority
then ashamed that their Constituents should be acquainted with their
Proceedings. Might not such a Question which seems to be a very
natural one be determined inconsistent with Good manners, (How-
ever agreeable to Good Sense) and Consequently a Breach of Privi-
lege. I yet I am afraid upon a Complaint the next Session would