Appendix. 421

goodness of their cause, it is easy to foresee, that all future meetings
will be attended with a like fate."
Let us first consider that part of the charge concerning an agent
proposed by the Lower House, and with reference to the Upper and
Lower House's conduct thereon. - - - - Let us go back to the year
1739, in which year the following bill was offered by the Lower
to the Upper House of Assembly, which bill was as follows:
An Act to raise a fund to be applied for the payment of an agent,
and other the necessary uses of this Province.
Whereas it is most necessary and convenient that there should
be an agent at the imperial seat of our mother country Great-Britain,
in order there to transact the emergent and necessary business of
this Province; and inasmuch as many occasions do, and may require
a solicitation from his Majesty's dutiful liege subjects, the inhabitants
of this Province, to his most sacred, royal and gracious Person, who
is the protector and father of his people; and likewise to their noble
Lord-proprietor residing there. And whereas such agent cannot be
supported but at the public charge, nor such sollicitations made, or

Contempo-
rary Printed
Pamphlet
Md.Hist.Soc.
p. 31

necessary business transacted, without a fund to that purpose; and
for that this general assembly are willing and desirous to charge
themselves in the staple commodity of this Province, with a reason-
able tax to so good and desirable an end,

It is humbly prayed that it may be enacted, and be it enacted, by
the Right Honourable the Lord-proprietor, by and with the advice
and consent of his lordship's Governor, the Upper and Lower Houses
of Assembly, and the authority of the same, That immediately from
and after the expiration of this session of assembly, every master
or commander of any ship or vessel trading into this Province,
before the clearing such ship or vessel, shall pay unto the several
respective naval officers, clearing such ship or vessel, the sum of
sixpence, sterling money of Great-Britain, for every hogshead, or
quantity of a hogshead of tobacco taken on board such ship or vessel,
in order to be transported out of this Province; and for every
hundred weight of tobacco taken on board such ship or vessel, in
order to be transported as aforesaid, either in bundles, chest, case,

p. 32

or other package, one penny sterling for every hundred weight, and
so, pro rato, for a greater or less quantity.

And be it further enacted, by the authority, advice, and consent
aforesaid, That the said several respective naval officers within this
Province, shall be, and are hereby obliged yearly, and every year,
during the continuance of this act, to collect the money arising by
this act in sterling money, in specie, or good bills of exchange, made
payable in Great-Britain unto such respective naval officer collecting
the same; and such naval officer shall be, and is hereby obliged to
pay the sum so by him received, to such person or persons as shall
from time to time (by warrant or authority from the house of

p. 33