Court and Testamentary Business, 1649 50.183

      hath been formerly Soe far deceived in him as to place him Liber B.

      here in the Seat of Judicature, which by his Scandalous course p. 329

      of life and gross heinous offences, he hath extreamly abused,

      Whereas he ought (especially Soc placed) to have given good

      example to others and to imploy that Talent and those abilities

      of witt and understanding (which almighty God hath indeed

      in a large measure bestowed on him) to his glory and the pub-

      lick good, But by Common experience it is apparent, that the

      chiefest use he hath made thereof hath been to colour over his

      Villanous Courses, and to mock and deride all Religion and

      Civill Government, As the Court may (in part) take notice by

      the particulars of his Charge being as followeth Viz'

        The Charge of the Lord Proprietary's Attorney by way of

      Indictment against Capt William Mitchell in the name of the

      Keepers of the Liberties of England by Authority of Parliamt

        ffirst That by his expressions as well as practice as will as

      I conceive) appear by proofe) he hath not only professed him-

      self to be an Atheist, but hath also endeavoured to draw others

      to believe there is noe God, makeing a Common practice by

      blasphemous expressions and otherwise to mock and deride

      God's Ordinances, and all Religion, thereby to open a way

      to all wicked lustfull licentious and prophane Courses.

        Secondly :—That he hath Comitted Adultery with one

      Susan Warren

        Thirdly-That he hath Murtherously endeavoured to de-

      stroy or Murther the Child by him begotten in the Womb of

      the Said Susan Warren And is much Suspected (if not known)

      to have brought his late wife to an untimely end in her late

      Voyage hitherward by Sea.

        ffourthly—That (as I conceive will appear by proofe) he hath

      Since his late wife's death lived in fornication with his now

      pretended wife Joane:

        And for these and other grosse Crimes and Misdemeanors

      (Sufficiently I conceive) appearing by proofe, My humble

      request is that the prisoner may be brought to his Answer, and

      upon a Speedy tryall may receive punishment according to

      Justice to God's glory and discharge of the Government in

      that particular:

        To which Charge the Said Capt Mitchell the prisoner by his p.

      Answer pleading not Guilty made Choice to be tryed by a

      Jury Whereupon these persons following were warned to be

      of the Grand Jury for the tryall vizt--Mr Cornelius LLoyd the

      fforeman Mr Edward LLoyd Capt William Fuller Mr Robert

      Clark Mr Thomas Marsh, Capt John Barriff Mr ffrancis LLoyd,

      Mr Thomas Daynes, Mr Wm Nugent Lieutr William Lewis Mt

      Henry Hooper and Mr Thomas Hinson who being all particu