Introduction. xxi

DOORKEEPERS AND SERJEANTS-AT-ARMS

When the Lower House met on October 2, 1771, Robert Reynolds was
appointed doorkeeper and Allen Quynn was made serjeant-at-arms (p. 78).
Reynolds had served before as doorkeeper during the session of the Assembly
which convened on September 25, 1770 (Arch. Md. LXII, xx-xxi). Quynn
had only been acting as serjeant-at-arms a short time, when, because of his
illness the House appointed William Goldsmith to act in his place (p. 91). By
October 12, however, Quynn had recovered and Goldsmith was discharged
(p. 101).

Both Reynolds and Quynn continued to serve in the same capacities during
the session of the General Assembly which met from June 15 to July 3, 1773
(pp. 337, 340-341). The duties of a serjeant-at-arms are discussed in a previous
volume (Arch. Md. LXII, xxi).

PROVINCIAL CONTROVERSIES
RELATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Addressing the members of a joint meeting of the Upper and Lower Houses
when it convened on October 2, 1771, Governor Eden said that he hoped that
the time he had chosen for enacting regulations conducive to the welfare of the
province was a season "convenient" to their private affairs (pp. 4, 76).

Among the matters needing the attention of the General Assembly, the Gov-
ernor said, was "the State of the Criminal Law," which he had recommended
to the last Assembly (pp. 4, 76-77; Arch. Md. LXII, xxvi). Another ques-
tion which should be taken up was the condition of the public roads. Only by
repairing and keeping them in order could the native produce be brought to
market (pp. 4, 76-77). Eden assured the members of both houses of his con-
currence in every measure tending to promote the interests of the colony and
that he would deem himself happy "in proportion to the Prosperity the people
of this Province shall derive from my Administration" (pp. 4, 77).

On the afternoon of the same day Walter Dulany and Daniel of St. Thomas
Jenifer were appointed by the Upper House a committee to prepare an answer
to the Governor's speech. This they did and on the following day assured his
Excellency that the matters which he recommended to their consideration would
receive "all due Attention" in the course of the session (pp. 4, 5). The message
further informed the Governor that as he had already given so many proofs
of his desire to promote the interests of the province, they could not doubt the
sincerity of his declaration about being happy in proportion to the prosperity
of the colonists under his administration (pp. 5, 6). In reply Eden told the
members of the upper chamber that he had always observed their deliberations
to be guided by the same motives which had governed his own conduct (p. 6).

The Lower House in their reply to the Governor's address promised to take
under consideration the matters mentioned in it and that they on their part
would seek to promote the welfare of the province (p. 86). Eden at once
informed the Delegates that he was pleased with these assurances (p. 88).

After this friendly exchange of messages, the lower chamber on October 9