436 Appendix.

Maryland
Council Pro-
ceedings
Force tran-
scripts, Li-
brary of
Congress

His Excellency then requested the Council to take the whole of
this Matter both with regard to the adjournment and dispensing
power assumed by the Lower house in the dismission of M.^r J. Hagar
into their Serious Consideration and was pleased to assure the Board
that he Should be happy in being governed by their advice on this

p. 9

and every occasion of Such importance to the Prerogative of the
Proprietary and the honour of the Government he was intrusted with.

Upon Consideration of his Excellency's representation, the Coun-
cil Answered that they Could not without the utmost disapprobation
and Concern reflect upon the very intemperate Proceedings of the
Lower House of Assembly as well in respect of their assuming a
power to abrogate an act of the Legislature by their Resolve in the
Case of M.^r Hagar as of their unprecedented adjournment for 13
or 14 days without the Concurrence or Consent of any other person
or previous intimation of their intention or desire to adjourn and
Should not Scruple to advise an immediate dissolution of the as-
sembly if the Present Circumstances of this Province were less pecu-
liar than they are but as the Speedy enaction of Some Laws is
Necessary for the general welfare and tranquility and a dessolution
would prevent it, So they think a prorogation would be more expe-
dient at this time than a dissolution, and it being their wish to
promote these important purposes recommended to his Excellency
a prorogation for 15 or 16 days and especially as there will be an
opportunity of animadverting on the unconstitutional and violent
Conduct of the Lower house when they again meet.

p. 10

In consequence whereof His Excellency was pleased to Issue
Proclamation to the Several Counties within this province, pro-
roguing the present General Assembly to Tuesday the Sixteenth
day of November next in the words following, viz:^t —

Maryland Ss:^t

By His Excellency Robert Eden Esquire Lieutenant General and
Chief Governor in and over the Province of Maryland.

"A Proclamation"

"Whereas for many important reasons I find myself under a
necessity of proroguing the Present General Assembly of this
Province.

I do therefore by and with the advice of the Lord Proprietarys
Council of State, Prorogue the Same to Tuesday the Sixteenth day
of November next. And to the intent that all persons Concerned
May have due notice thereof; I do Strictly Charge and require the
Several Sherriffs of this Province to Make this my Proclamation
Publick in their respective Counties in the usual Manner as they will
Answer the Contrary at their peril.