The Virginia Historical Register, and Literary Companion

ing us together at this time proceeds from your regard to the publick credit, and we doubt not those debts and contingencies which have necessarily arisen since our last Session will be now cheerfully provided for to your Honour's entire satisfaction.

It is with the greatest gratitude that we reflect on the tender and generous concern you express for the good of us, and our posterity; and we beg leave to assure your Honour that as we have the same sentiments of those great advantages you are pleased so affectionately to point out to us, we shall not be wanting on our part to promote your Honours good intentions, and to give convincing proofs of the value we have for your recommendation.

After the many instances of your disinterested zeal for promoting the publick benefit of this Colony, we cannot but be deeply afflicted that the ill state of your health, and the necessity of repairing to England on that account should so soon deprive us of the happiness of your presence. Permit us on this occasion to assure your Honour of our sincere wishes for your recovery and speedy return, and of our utmost care to preserve during your absence that loyal and peaceable temper, which your Honour so Justly observes to be the character of the people of this country; and as your administration has hitherto been accompanied with a remarkable tranquillity, it shall be our endeavour in all our Consultations to proceed with that Harmony which is necessary for accomplishing those views you have for the public Good, and to bring this Session to a happy conclusion.

THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES' ADDRESS TO THE GOVERNOR.

To the Honourable Hugh Drysdale, his Ma'ties Lieut. Gov'r and Commander in Chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia,

THE HUMBLE ADDRESS OF THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES. Sir, The Burgesses of this his Majestys most Antient Colony of Virginia being persuaded from the experience they have had of your just and disinterested Administration, that you have nothing more at heart than the publick good and welfare of the Subjects committed to your Care, Could not doubt but that some weighty Cause induced you to put off the meeting of this Assembly.

Your inclination to do any thing which may contribute to the Ease and prosperity of the people is so conspicuous on every occasion, that We must acknowledge the present Calm and tranquillity to be the consequences of your Prudence and Moderation; And it would be the highest ingratitude not to return you our unfeigned thanks as well for that happiness, as the singular kindness you have been pleased to express in your Affectionate Speech to this Assembly for the people of this Country, and we shall constantly endeavour so to order our Steps, as not to forfeit the esteem and good opinion you have entertained of us.

We and those whom we represent are extremely concerned that you have so long been afflicted with that languishing and obstinate disease, which is now likely to deprive us for a season of your residence among us. Yet we hope the Misfortune of your Absence will soon be repaired by the recovery of your health, and your returning in safety to us, for which with the utmost sincerity we heartily pray.

ADDRESS TO THE KING.

To the King's most Excellent Majesty, The Humble Address of the Council and Burgesses of Virginia.

Most Gracious Soveraign.

We your Majestys most Dutyfull and Loyall Subjects the Council and Burgesses of Virginia now met in a General Assembly humbly beg leave to congratulate your Majestys late deliverance from the great danger of the Seas and Safe return to your Kingdom of Great Britain. We are so great Sharers in your Majestys Wise and Mild Administration, tho' so remote from your Royal presence, That we should be guilty of the highest Ingratitude if we were unconcerned in your Majestys fortunes to whose Care and Vigilance directed and assisted by the overruling providence of God the peace and Tranquility of all your large Dominions is entirely owing.

We beg leave likewise most humbly to acquaint your Majesty That We have now had under our Consideration a good Work of great Consequence to us and our posterity, founded by your Ma'ties predecessors of Glorious Memory, the College of King William and Queen Mary in this Country, and finding through divers accidents too long to Enumerate the Revenues of it so low that the Trustees were not able to found their full Number of Masters we have as hath been often done by former Assemblys, and agreeable to your Majestys gracious Instructions, now laid a Duty for a Term of years on all Liquors imported except from Great Britain out of which we have alotted two hundred pounds per Annum towards supporting this good work, And we humbly pray and hope That your Majesty whose zeal has been so conspicuous in encouraging the foundations of

Learning and Religion will be graciously pleased not to disapprove this act, and that after the Example of your Royal predecessors King William, Queen Mary and Queen Ann, will be graciously pleased of your Royal Bounty to contribute some further assistance towards perfecting this good Work out of your unapropriated and growing Revenue of Quit Rents in this Colony, or any other Way that your Majesty shall think more proper.

We beg leave upon this Extraordinary occasion of our Lieu't Governor's going for England for his health humbly to offer to your Majesty our Unanimous Testimony of his just and mild Administration, and that he hath made it his business together with a Singular Zeal for your Majestys person and ffamily to encourage peace and Justice in this your Majestys Government, without any Sinister Views of Self Interest. And now that he leaves us with the universal good wishes of the Country, We beg leave to return to your Majesty our most hearty thanks for sending a person of your own Spirit and temper to preside over us, hoping upon the recovery of his health he will be restored to us in the same Station in which he hath behaved himself so industriously for your Majestys Service, and so much to the Contentment and Satisfaction of all your Majestys Subjects of this Colony.