Mess" Harrison and Sullyvan from the Lower house acquaint
his Honour that there is a Sufficient Number of Members met to
make a house and wait his Honours Commands.

Col Hammond and Samuel Chamberlain Esq.^r are Sent to the
Lower house to acquaint the Speaker that his honour requires their
immediate attendance in the Upper house.

The Lower house attend and his Honour is Pleased to make
the following Speech
Gentlemen of the Upper and Lower houses of Assembly

The Administration of this Government devolving upon me, by
the Death of Our late Governor, obliges me to call you together
that We may consider what Laws are near expiring and which
of them it is the Interest of the Country to continue longer. Al-
though I am conscious that my own abilities are much inferior to
those of the Worthy Gentleman We have lost, Yet as I am under
all the Ties of Nature and Interest to promote the happiness of
Maryland as far as I possibly [can], So I flatter my Self that with
your Advice & Concurrence/upon which I shall always rely/We shall
be able in good Measure to avert the ill Consequences of the Great
loss We have lately Sustained; and I know no better means to
crown Our Endeavours for that desireable End than Unanimity &
Harmony among ourselves in carrying on the publick Business
with dispatch and with as little Expence to the Country as Possible

Mess^rs Pearce and Williamson from the Lower house Attend
with Mess^rs Gresham and Rasin two of the Members returned for
Kent County and with Mess^rs Govane and Franklin & Buchanan
three of the Members returned for Baltimore County to See them