Sessions of the General Assembly of Maryland.

Provincial Assemblies.

The earliest Provincial legislative bodies were primary assemblies,
the Governor issuing personal writs of summons to the members of
the Council and a few others as often as he thought wise. Some of
those thus summoned in person, such as commanders of hundreds,
were directed to encourage the attendance of such persons as they
saw fit, and to give all other freemen of the hundred the privilege to
attend in person or to choose delegates. As a result many proxies
were given, and complaint arose that the Governor and Secretary
were able to control the Assembly. Until 1650 the Proprietary claimed
the sole right of directing how the Assembly should be constituted.
but in that year and ever afterward each of the hundreds elected
from one to three delegates. Thus the representative system was
inaugurated.

In the early years all freemen, as well as freeholders, were not only
entitled to a seat in the Assembly, but were liable to fine for failure to
attend In person or by proxy. A property qualification was imposed
in 1670 (Archiv. 5:77), and was required under the Constitution of
1776. It was removed by an amendment to the Constitution, Act of
1801, ch. 90, confirmed by Act of 1802, ch. 20.

By ch. 1. of the Acts of 1650 the Assembly was divided into two
houses—the Upper House to stand for the rights and interests of the
Proprietary, while the Lower House stood for the rights and interests
of the People.

The local unit of representation was the hundred until 1654, when
the county became the unit and the writs of election summoned from
one to four delegates from each county.

Dates. Place. Adjourned.
1034-5 .........................St. Mary's ............No record.
1637-8 January 25..............St. Mary's. ......... ..March 24.
1638-9 February 25............. St. Mary's, adjourned

same day to St. John's, Mar. 19.
1641 August 2............... St. John's.............October 24.
1640 0ctoberl2...............St. Mary's............March23.
1641-21 March 21................St. Mary's. .......... .August 12.
1642 July 18.................. St. Mary's..... ....... August 2.
.... September 5............. St. Mary's. .......... .Sept. 13.
164^ .........................

1644-5 February II.............St. Mary's. .......... .Februaryll.
1644 ........................

1646 December 29..............St. Inigoe's. .......... .March 4.
1647-8 January 7...............St. John's............March4.

It was declared by the House at this session that the House of Assembly
may not be adjourned or prorogued but by and with the consent of the
House. (Archives, 1:117.)

Proclamation issued for Assembly on February 3d, but It was recalled by
later proclamation. Another proclamation was Issued for April 3d, but no
record of meeting exists. (Archives, I :201.)

Proclamation for Assembly to be held on December 3d. No record of meet-
ing. (Archives, 1:201.)