540 Assembly Proceedings, May 16-July 11, 1747.

L. H. J.
Liber No. 46

The following Address, viz.
To his Excellency Samuel Ogle Esq^r Governor of Maryland ;

The Humble address of the House of Delegates of the said
province

May it please your Excellency,

It is from a just Regard to the Rights, Liberties, and Priviledges
of those we Represent, that we find our selves under an Indispensible
necessity of applying to your Excellency, on an Occasion which
nearly Affects the property, and well being of the people of Maryland.
The Report of our Committee of Grievances here annexed, which
by the Confessions of the parties is in every Circumstance strictly
true, and to which we beg leave to Refer your Excellency contains a
Charge against M^r Samuel Hanson, High Sheriff, and M^r Henry
Brook, ffarmer of the Quit Rents of Charles County, of so high a
nature, and of practices of so dangerous and destructive a Tendency,
which to our real Concern, we are informed prevail in many parts of
this province, to the great Damage of many of his Lordship's Ten-
ants, and if not speedily remedied will, in all probability, become
general. We could not therefore, without an entire disregard to, and
neglect of, the Duties of our Station, avoid taking notice of so high
an Infringement on the Rights and Liberties of the people. And it
is in Consequence of that just Regard we owe to the people of
Maryland, and to the Honour of the Government, that we humbly
lay this Affair before your Excellency; from whose kind Assurances
of your Sincere and hearty Endeavours to promote the prosperity
of this province, we derive the firmest Confidence that your Excel-
lency will, in every instance of your Conduct, discountenance any
illegal and oppressive Act of power, and particularly that great and
growing evil now laid before you; and by that means effectually
prevent any Officer in this Government from wantonly abusing and
perverting that power, to the oppression and Ruin, which was Origi-
nally designed for the Ease and Happiness of the people.
Was brought in ingrossed, and was Read and assented to, and
Signed by Order of the Lower House by the Honourable Speaker,
Col. Hooper delivers to M^r Speaker a Bill entituled, a Supplemen-
tary Act to the Act entituled, An Act for laying out the Town anew
commonly called Snow Hill Town, in Somerset County, which was
Read the first time, and Ordered to lie on the Table.
M^r Harris and Capt. Handy, were sent to acquaint the Governor
that this House hath prepared an Address to him, and desires to
know when and where he will please to receive it. They return, and
acquaint M^r Speaker, the Governor Signified that he was ready to
receive the Address immediately in the Conference Chamber.
M^r Smith and five more were Ordered to present the address.