APPENDIX.] OF JAMAICA. 3-03 



9th. And whether your majesty's prerogative is prejudiced by the pre- 

 sent constructions, is more the concernment of your majesty, and subject 

 of your own care, than of their consideration. 



Lastly, and in general j We humbly conceive, that it would be a great 

 satisfaction t*your subjects there inhabiting, and an inviration to strair- 

 gers, when they shall know what laws they are to be governed by, and a 

 great ease to the planters, not to be continually obliged to attend the as- 

 semblies to re-enact old laws, which your majesty has now thought fi?, 

 in a proper form to ascertain and establish ; whereas the late power of 

 making temporary laws could be understood to be of no longer continu- 

 ance than until 8uch wholesome laws, founded upon so many years expe- 

 rience, should be agreed on by the people, and finally enacted by your 

 majesty, in such manner as hath been practised in either of your majes- 

 ty's dominions to which your English subjects have transplanttd them- 

 selves. For as they cannot pretend to further privileges than have been 

 granted to them, either by charter or some solemn act under your great 

 seal, so, having from the first beginning of that plantation been governed 

 by such instructions as were given by your majesty unto your governors, 

 according to the power your majesty had originally over them, and which 

 you have by no one authentic act ever yet parted with, and having never 

 had any other right to assemblies than from the permission of the gover- 

 nors, and that only temporary and for probation, it is to be wondered how 

 they should presume to provoke your majesty, by pretendfng a right to 

 that which hath been allowed them merely out of favour, and discourage 

 your majesty from future favours of that kind, when what ycur majesty 

 ordered for a temporary experiment, to see what form would best suit the 

 safety and interest of the island, shall be construed to be a total resignation 

 of the power inherent in yovir majesty, and a devolution of it to themselves 

 and their wills, without which neither law nor government, the essential in- 

 gredients of their subsistence and well being, may take place among them. 



Since, therefore, it is evident, that the assembly of Jamaica have, 

 without any just grounds, and with so much animosity and undutifulness, 

 proceeded to reject the marks of your majesty's favour towards them, and 

 that your majesty's resolutions in this case are like to be the measure of 

 respect and obedience to your rcyal commands in other colonies ; we can 

 only offer, as a cure for irregularities past, and a remedy against all fur- 

 ther inconveniencies, that your majesty would please to authorise and 

 empower your governor to call another assembly, and to represent unto 

 tl\ great convenience and expegiVricy ot accepting end consen:- 



