no Assembly Proceedings, November 17-December 20, 1769.

L. H. J.
Liber No. 54
Dec. 20

present their Intention to propose in the next Session of Parliament
to take off the Duties upon Glass, Paper, and Colours, upon Con-
sideration of such Duties having been laid contrary to the true Prin-
ciples of Commerce.

These, Sir, have always been, and still are the Sentiments of his
Majesty's present Servants, and the Principles by which their Con-
duct, in Respect to America, has been grounded, and his Majesty
relies upon your Prudence and Fidelity, for such an Explanation of
his Measures as may tend to remove the Prejudices which have been
excited by the Misrepresentations of those who are Enemies to the
Peace and Prosperity of Great Britain and her Colonies and to re-
establish that mutual Confidence and Affection upon which the Glory
and Safety of the British Empire depend.

I am Sir Y.^r most obed.^t humble Serv.^t
(Signed) Hillsborough

Which was read, and referred to the Consideration of the next
Session of Assembly.

Upon reading the Second Time, and maturely considering the
Letter from the Speaker of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, and
the Resolves therein mentioned, Resolved, That this House doth
unanimously concur with the House of Burgesses in Virginia in the
said Resolutions.

Resolved unanimously, That the Representatives of the Freemen
of this Province, in their legislative Capacity, with the assent of the
other Part of the Legislature, have the sole Right to lay Taxes and
Impositions on the Inhabitants of this Province, or their Property
and Effects; and that the laying, imposing, levying, or collecting

any Tax on or from the Inhabitants of Maryland, under Colour of

any other Authority, is unconstitutional, and a direct Violation of
the Rights of the Freemen of this Province.

Resolved unanimously, That it is the undoubted Privilege of the
Inhabitants of this Province to petition their Sovereign for the Re-
dress of Grievances; and that it is lawful and expedient to procure the
Concurrence of his Majesty's other Colonies, in dutiful Addresses,
praying the Royal Interposition in Favour of the violated Rights
of America.

p. 55

Resolved unanimously, That all Trials for Treason, Misprision
of Treason, or for any Felony or Crime whatever, committed and
done in this Province, ought of Right to be had and conducted in
and before the Courts of Law held within this Province, according
to the fixed and known Course of Proceedings; and that the seizing
any Person or Persons, suspected of any Crime whatever, committed
in this Province, and sending such Person or Persons to Places
beyond the Sea to be tried, is highly derogatory of the Rights of