283 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT [BOOK IT, 



3d. That whereas hitherto, within your majesty's island of Jamaica, 

 the oaths of allegiance and supremacy hsve not been imposed on persons 

 that bear any pait of the government, except the members and officers of 

 the council, and all judges and justices; so, for the prevention of future 

 incoBveniencies, and greater assurance of loyalty towards your majesty, 

 we are humbly of opinion, that all persons elected into the assembly shall, 

 before their sitting, take the oaths cf allegiance and supremacy, which 

 your majesty's governor shall commissionale fit persons, under the seal of 

 the island, to administer unto them, and that, without taking the said 

 oaths, none shall be capable of sitting, although elected. 



We have likewise, pursuant to your majesty's orders, prepared a body 

 of laws, such as the right honorable the Earl of Carlisle may be empow- 

 ered to cany with him, and to offer unto the assembly of Jamaica for 

 their consent. Whereas we do not find, since your majesty's happy re- 

 storation, that any laws transmitted from your majesty's plantations have 

 been confirmed by your majesty, either under the great seal of England, 

 or any other signification cf your majesty's pleasure, (the act of four and 

 a half per cent, in the Caribbee islands only excepted, which was COH- 

 iirmed by the order of council), and the intended method of enacting laws 

 in Jamaica hath not as yet been put in practice j we hymbly crave your 

 majesty's royal determination, whether the said laws shall pass only by 

 order cf your majesty in council, or under the great seal of England, 

 that we may accordingly be enabled fitiy to present them unto your royaj 

 view. 



All which, &c. 



His majesty was pleased to order, that Mr. Secretary Coventry do pre- 

 pare Lord Carlisle's commission and instructions concerning these mat- 

 ters accordingly : and as for the laws of the said island, his majesty by 

 an order cf the board, hath been pleased this day to declare his pleasure, 

 that they shall pass under the great seal of England. 



NUMBER III. 



Extract of King Charles the Second's Commission to the Earl of Carlisle. 



And we do hereby give and grant unto you, with the advice and con- 

 sent cf the said council, full power and authority, from time to time, as 

 need shall require, to summon or call general assemblies cf the freeholders 



