346 Assembly Proceedings, April 30-May 14, 1696.

Original
Journal.

reasonable] Excuse why they did not appear here in [the
house according to] prorogation thereof are not excused, and
[ordered to pay the messengers] ffees and Charges that were
sent for them.

Whereas an Ord^r of [his Ex^cy] the Gov^r and Councill of
the first of May 1696 put up at the Door of this House order-
ing that the Clarks and other persons have recourse to their
severall Offices notwithstanding the sitting of the house of
Burgesses was brought before this house.
Resolved the following Message be sent up to his Ma^tys
hon^ble Councill.

By the house of Burgesses May the 4^th 1696.

This house does highly resent and are much grieved to see
their priviledges so much intrenched upon by the hon^ble his
Ma^tys Councill as appears by a late paper affixed at the Door
of the House of Assembly at a publique meeting upon the
Sabbath Day, in which they endeavor to debarr them of that
Right which is due to the meanest and Inferior Court of this
Province to witt privacy and uninterruption, and more espe-
cially since this house considering the p^rsent inconveniencyes
have never debarrd the Clarks from their Offices further then
in prudence and our Duty to his Ma^tys service required, and
therefore humbly desire the said paper in which our Rights
and priviledges are so trampled upon may not remain upon
the Journalls of the Hon^ble Councill. For as We shall

p. 24

ever endeavor to the whole world to give an Ample testi-
mony of our Duty and Affection to his Ex^cy and the hon^bLe his
Councill so likewise We shall endeavor to preserve the
Rights and priviledges We are intrusted with as representa-
tives of his Ma^tys Loyall and dutifull Subjects of this province.
Sign'd p Ord^r
[W: Bladen, Clk of] Assembly.

Sent by Mr Tasker [Major Hammond Mr Mason] Mr
Frisby Mr Clarke Mr Boothby Major [Smallwood Mr Lowe,]
Major Smithson & Col. pearce.
Mr Tasker and the [rest of the members] sent returne
to the House and say they have [delivered] their Message.
Mr Boothby added to the Comittee of Laws.
Ordered the Comittee of Laws send for Books papers
Records or any person or persons they shall think fitt to advise
with.

The Keeper of the Great Seals Letter read in the house
relating to his ffees. Ordered that he bring in his Acc^t of