1776.] OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND. 307

have leave of absence for a few days on account of particular bu-
ness. Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Ewing have leave of absence on
account of sickness.

In progression on reading the declaration of rights, on motion
of Mr. Gust. Scott, the question was put, That after the words, "on
contract to maintain," in the thirty-fourth article, the following be
inserted, "any particular place of worship, or any particular ministry;
yet the legislature may, in their discretion, lay a general and equal
tax for the support of the Christian religion, leaving to each individual
the power of appointing the payment over of the money collected i
from him, to the support of any particular place of worship or min-
ister, or for the benefit of the poor of his own denomination, or the
poor in general of any particular county;" and that the words "any
place of worship or ministry" be struck out? Resolved in the affir-
mative.

AFFIRMATIVE.

Mr. Barnes, Mr. J. Hall, Mr. S. Wright,
Fenwick, Worthington, Edmondson,
Plater, S. Chase, Gibson,
Jordan, Paca, Potter,
Dent, Carroll, Mason,
Parnham, J. Wilson, Dickinson,
Grahame, Bayly, Johnson,
Fitzhugh, Edelen, Gust. Scott,
J. Mackall, J. T. Chase, Geo. Scott,
Bowie, Earle, Horsey,
B. Hall, T. Smyth, Chaille,
Sprigg, T. Wright, Bishop,
Marbury, Kent, Mitchell.
Hammond, Bruff,

NEGATIVE.

Mr. Williams, Mr. Deye, Mr. Love,
Fischer, Stevenson, Archer,
Schriver, Shepherd, Gilpin,
Beall, J. Smith, Ewing,
Stull, Bond, D. Smith,
Ridgely, H. Wilson, Brevard.
On motion of Mr. Williams, the question was put, That the fol-
lowing be an article in the declaration of rights: " That the prac-
titioners of the law being suffered to take, receive, or demand ex-
orbitant fees for their services, or any other than are provided by an
act of assembly, or may hereafter be provided by an act of the le-