xxvi Introduction

steady application of the Lower House to the business brought before them
(Pp.35-36, 119).

RELATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1770

Despite his abrupt prorogation of the previous General Assembly, the next
one which convened for the first time on September 25, 1770, met in a friendly
atmosphere. At a joint meeting of both Houses on the opening day Governor
Eden informed the members present that he would be glad to sanction all such
laws as the Assembly found to be most conducive to the welfare of the colony
(pp. 171-172, 206-207).

On the following day the members of the Upper House promised on their
part to do everything in their power to bring the business before them to "a
happy Conclusion." This was the usual promise made by the Councillors. As
appointees of the Lord Proprietary they would naturally be favorable to any plan
suggested by his spokesman, the Governor. Although Eden knew this was true,
he went through the form of thanking the Upper House for their cooperation
(pp. 174, 175).

In a separate address to the members of the Lower House the Governor laid
before them several matters which required their attention. These included
some papers in regard to Indian affairs, and a letter from Lord Botetourt,
Governor of Virginia, recommending the erection of a lighthouse on Cape
Henry. Governor Eden also referred to defects in the criminal law, which, he
hoped, could be remedied (pp. 171-172, 206-207).

An exchange of friendly messages now ensued (pp. 211, 214). It is not
stated what the papers contained that referred to Indian affairs. After they
had been considered by the Lower House, the Delegates decided against taking
any favorable action in regard to them. They gave as their reasons the King's
failure to commit the regulation and management of the Indian trade to the
colonies, and also that Maryland was not "immediately interested therein"
(pp. 266-267).

The Lower House appointed a committee to investigate the state of the crim-
inal law with which step the Governor expressed his approval (pp. 273, 276).

Lord Botetourt's letter about the construction of a lighthouse at Cape Henry
was read in the Lower House on October 19, 1770. The matter received favor-
able consideration. It was resolved that when Virginia had submitted an esti-
mate of the cost of the building, then Maryland should join with her sister
colony in erecting the lighthouse. Another resolution requested the Speaker of
the Virginia House of Burgesses to inform the Maryland Delegates as to the
amount or quantity of the tonnage of vessels entering Virginia ports from
other places, excepting Maryland. Governor Eden was requested to furnish
similar information about shipping in Maryland. This data was to be made
available both to the Lower House in Maryland and to the Virginia House ot
Burgesses. The Maryland Delegates explained that it was necessary to have
this information about the relative amount of shipping in each colony in order
to be able to apportion the expense of building a lighthouse (pp. 266, 273-274).