394 Assembly Proceedings, July 1-10, 1696.

U. H. J.

His Excellency Francis Nicholson Esq^r Captain General &c

The honble Col^o George Robotham Col^o David Brown Col⁰
Nich^o Greenberry Thomas Brook Esq^r Col^o Charles Hutchins
James Frisby Esq^r

Came from the House of Burgesses Major Thompson M^r
Hemsley who signifying that the House is met according to
his Excellencys Prorogation and were sent to know if his
Excellency had any thing to impart to the House
They are told if the House will come up this Board are
ready & will acquaint them
Came Accordingly M^r Speaker Attended with the whole
House his Excellency was pleased to tell them that he had
taken this method of Proroguing the Assembly for so short
time that he might put the Country to as little Charge as Pos-
sible and that the Bill which they had before them relating to
Religion he does acquaint them as the same is now Penned
the King will not pass his Assent thereto it consisting of a
thing of different natures and that the King has declared he
will not pass any Laws where there are matters of different
natures contained and does therefore Recommend that they
would take Again into their consideration the said Bill hoping
they dont question either his Majesty or himself will ever
break in upon their Liberties and if they know of any such
thing they would do well to declare it and that if they would
draw up a Bill and therein sett forth their Liberties or what
else they require touching that matter he would Assent to the
same and use his utmost interest to get his Majestys Royal
Assent thereto likewise
His Excellency is further pleased to tell them that as they
have already been instrumental in making many good Laws
they would not by neglecting this main point of setling Reli-
gion among them undo all again without which the other
matters could not well Subsist therefore yet hoped that as
God Almighty moved the hearts of the Children of Israel to
call back David to be their King so he hoped their Hearts
will be opened to consider of Drawing up this Bill in that
nature as it may obtain his Majestys Royal Assent which will
tend to the Glory of God the Honour of the King and good of
themselves and Posterity praying God Almighty may direct
them herein.

p. 898

Brought from the House of Burgesses by Major Dent and
Eleven other members of the House the following message
viz^t

The Messengers desire to know whether they may wait for
an Answer who are told that an answer shall be given them
presently and so they withdrew