214 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1648- 1655.

Liber C. B.

cillors of this Province I will not reveal the same unto him so
touched or Concerned but will keep the same secret until such
time as by Consent of the Lord Proprietary or his Lieutenant
or chief Governor here for the time being Publication shall be

p. 201

made thereof I will also as a Councillor and as a Justice and
Commissioner for Conservation of the Peace of this Province
do equal Right unto the Poor and to the rich to the best of my
understanding and judgment according to the Laws from time
to time in Force within this Province and in default thereof
according to my best discretion and Generally in all things will
do as a faithful Councillor to the said Lord Proprietor and I do
further swear that I will not by my self nor any other Person
directly or Indirectly trouble molest or discountenance any
Person whatsoever in the said Province professing to Believe
in Iesus Christ and in particular no Roman Catholick for or in
Respect of his or her Religion nor in his or her free exercise
thereof within the said Province so as they be not unfaithful to
his said Ldshp nor molest or Conspire against the Civil Govern-
ment established here under him So help me God and by the
Contents of this Book.

Commission for the Great Seal

Cecilius Absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Provinces of
Maryland and Avalon Lord Baron of Baltimore &c^a to our
trusty and well Beloved Lieu^t and Council of our said Province
of Maryland to all the Inhabitants of the same and all others
whom it may Concern Greeting whereas our Great Seal of the
said Province of Maryland was Treacherously and Violently
taken away from thence by Richard Ingle or his Complices in
or about february Anno Domini One thousand six hundred and
fourty & four and hath been ever since so disposed of as it
cannot be recovered again for us we do therefore hereby protest
against all and every act and things whatsoever which hath
been Sealed therewith since the fourteenth of Feb^y Anno
Domini One thousand six hundred fourty and four or which

p. 202

shall at any time hereafter be Sealed therewith as unlawful and
not done by any Legal Authority from us and we do hereby
declare all and eyery the said Acts and things unlawful and
Null but because it is necessary for the better Government of
our said Province and Satisfaction of the People there to have
a Seal of ours Constantly remaining in the said Province and
appropriated thereunto and known to be our Great Seal of the
same whereby divers publick Acts and Grants of Lands within
the said Province may be ratified and Confirmed according to
such directions Instructions Commissions or warrants as we
have or shall from time to time give under our hand and seal