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For Talbot County, For Frederick County,
M.r John Goldsborough, Daniel Dulany, Esq;
M.r Matthew Tilghman. M.r Joseph Chapline,
M.r Nathan Magruder.
A sufficient Number of the Members of the Lower House of
Assembly being convened at the Stadt-House, Ordered, That Col.
Hooper and Mr. J. Goldsborough do acquaint his Excellency the
Governor therewith: They return and acquaint Mr. Speaker with
their having delivered the Message.
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L. H. J.
Liber No. 47
May8
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Col. Hammond, and Samuel Chamberlaine, Esq; from the Upper
House, acquaint Mr. Speaker, that the Governor requires the Atten-
dance of the Lower House immediately, in the Upper House.
Mr. Speaker left the Chair; and (attended by the Members of the
Lower House) went to the Upper House; where his Excellency
made the following Speech, viz.
Gentlemen of the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly,
I am very much concerned that the great Progress, the vast Prepa-
rations, and the avowed Designs of our common Enemy, whose
Encroachments and Depredations on his Majesty's Territories, occa-
sioned our last Meeting, have necessitated the neighbouring Govern-
ments to repeat again, most earnestly, their Sollicitations for us to
engage and unite with them, in supporting his Majesty's just Right
and Pretentions to these his American Dominions, at this Time
attacked and invaded. Some Letters and Papers that I shall submit
to your Perusal, will shew to what a Pass Matters are already come ;
what Armaments have been and are now making against us; what
Wrongs and Indignities the Enemy hath already offered; with what
Arrogance they presume to obstruct the Freedom of a Commerce
that has been enjoyed by our Ancestors, without Interruption, ever
since the English first made Settlements on the Continent.
The particular and express Orders which his Majesty has been
pleased to give for raising Fortresses on the Ohio, and the Resolu-
tions taken in a neighbouring Colony, after the most abundant Cau-
tion, as they serve to confirm me in my private Opinion, concerning
the indubitable Property of the Country Westward of these Prov-
inces, may, I hope, with some Effect be urged to obviate and remove
such Scruples and Doubts as have lately been started, about the
Extent of his Majesty's American Dominions.
Did I think such Motives were wanting, I might set before you
the Examples of the several Provinces around us, to warm and
incite you to a generous Emulation of the laudable Zeal they have
shewn for the common Cause, and to a just Resentment of the
Insults that have been offered the British Name and Dignity: But
from a Persuasion that you will be actuated by more noble Prin-
ciples, than such as arise from the Fear of Censure, I shall satisfy
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p. 416
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