216 Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 27-Oct. 4, 1708.

L. H. J.

But we hope we have hereby shown Reason to incline your
Majesty not only to favour this Bill but any other that may be
devised to secure our Goods from such Rapine and Plunder and
in a special Manner to extend your Royal Favour to support us
which ffavour we stand in need of above all your Subjects be-
cause we think we are the most imposed upon by the Owners
and Hirers of Ships and the least able to help ourselves.

p. 330

It is further taken Notice of that we have dropt an Act
against the Divulgers of false News, which was of a very large
Extent and by Experience found to be rather hurtful by be-
coming a Snare to simple, ignorant and unwary People and
abused by malicious Informers to that Purpose then applyed
to the Punishment of malicious ill disposed People, so that it
has been a good while ago let fall by former Assemblies and
thought not fit to be renewed since there is other good Laws
to bring them to Punishment who shall any Ways maliciously
promulge any Thing done in Derogation of y^r Matys Hon^r
which shall be always dear to y^r Maty's mo. Dutiful
Ordered That the Committee of Laws cause the same to be
fairly written
The Matter in Debate last Night relating to the Charter of
the City of Annapolis Wornell Hunt Esq. and William Bladen
Esq^r Aldermen thereof and Councillors at Law and Delegates
for the said City proceed to answer the Objections against the
Charter and prayed the same may be loged with the Clerk of
this House in Writing
M^r Macnemara on Behalf of the Petitioners replied thereto
The Petitioners and Delegates for the said City with the Al-
dermen and Common Councilmen were all Ordered to withdraw
and being withdrawn. The House debated the whole Matter
and Resolved That the Question be put Whether or no the
Governor had Power to grant the Charter in Manner and
fform as it is granted? Carried Nemine Contradicente in the
Negative.
M^r Lynes from the Council enters the House and delivers
M^r Speaker the Petition of Joseph and Benjamin Harris of
Calvert .County praying Leave to bring in a Bill to impower
them to sell a Tract of Land in Talbot County left them by
their Father and entailed on the Heirs of their Bodies and
with the Money thereby arising to purchase other Lands in
Calvert County. Indorsed thus.

By his Excy & Council in Assembly October 2^d 1708

The within Petition being read at this Board the Considera-
tion thereof is referred to the House of Delegates.
Signed p Order Evan Jones Cl. Council