|
|
Post-Meridiem.
The House met according to Adjournment, &c.
In Pursuance of the Order of the House, the following Bill is here
inserted, viz.
An Act to prevent the Growth of Popery within this Province.
Whereas, under the present unhappy Circumstances of this Prov-
ince, with Respect to an Indian War, and the dreadful Apprehensions
of an Invasion by a foreign Enemy, in Conjunction with the Sav-
ages, with Intent to destroy the Liberties we enjoy under our present
most happy Constitution in Church and State, it is thought necessary
and expedient to take all reasonable and just Measures to prevent
the Growth of Popery, and to lay the Popish Priests and Jesuits
(those great Enemies to our Laws, Liberties and Religion), under
some more severe Restraint than they have heretofore been; and
whereas it is a Matter of Doubt, which of the Penal Laws heretofore
made in the Kingdom of England, are extended and can be put in
Execution against Popery within this Province; and in order to quiet
the Minds of some of his Majesty's faithful Subjects, who may be
under some Dread of the undue Influence of the Priests and Jesuits
upon the Minds of thoughtless and ignorant Persons, it is humbly
prayed that it may be enacted,
And be in Enacted, by the Right Honorable the Lord Proprietary,
by and with the Advice and Consent of his Lordship's Governor,
and the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly, and the Authority
of the same, That if any Person or Persons whatsoever, within this
Province, shall hereafter send, or cause to be sent, any Child or
any other Person under his or their or any of their Government,
beyond the Seas, out of the King's Obedience, to the Intent to enter
into, or reside in, or repair to, any Colledge, School, or other Semi-
nary of Learning, of any Popish Order, Profession, or Calling, to be
instructed, persuaded, or strengthened, in the Popish Religion, or in
any Sort to profess the same, every such Person, so sending or caus-
ing to be sent any such Child or other Person, under his, their, or
any of their Government, shall forfeit and pay the Sum of One
Hundred Pounds Sterling, and be disabled from holding any Public
|
L.H.J.
Liber No. 48
May 22
|
|
|
|
Office in this Province hereafter; and every such Person, so passing
or being sent beyond the Seas, out of the King's Obedience, and
shall enter into, or reside in, any such College, School, or other
Seminary of Learning, of any Popish Order, Profession, or Calling,
and be there instructed and educated in the Popish Religion, shall,
in respect of him or herself only, and not in respect of any of his
or her Heirs, or Posterity, be disabled to inherit, purchase, take, have,
or enjoy, any Profits, Hereditaments, Chattels, Debts, Legacies, or
Sums of Money, by Virtue of any Devise, Bequest, Gift, Grant, Bar-
gain and Sale, or other Conveyance or Donation whatsoever. And
|
p. 292
|
|
