Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681-85/6. 289

tency and folly therein, w^ch being granted him by the said Coll

Stevens, It is Considered by this board that his Offence for
this time be passed by, and the punishm^t thereof suspended
untill such tyme as he offer further occasion.

Memdu. Returne made of a Commission granted the nine
and Twentieth day of March 1684: to Coll Henry Coursey
Cap^t William Lawrence, and M^r William ffrisby to Enquire"
and Examine betweene Majo^r James Ringold and Anne Tovey
widow, upon the Complaint and at the request of said
Ringold (viz^t:)

To the R^t hon^ble Charles Absolute Lord and Prop^ry of the
Provinces of Maryland & Avalon Lord Baron of Balte-
more &c^a and the hon^ble Councill
By vertue of a Commission to us Henry Coursey and
William Lawrence directed dated the Twenty nineth day of
March Anno 1684: to call before us Majo^r James Ringold, and
M^rs Anne Tovey Relict of Samuel Tovey deed: and now wife
to M^r Thomas Joce of Kent County, upon a scandalous Letter
directed & sent from the said Anne Tovey unto M^r Robert
Carvile an Atto^rney of the Provinciall Court, The Coppy of

Lib. R. R. R.

which Letter wee have before us attested by the Register for
probate of Wills and granting Adm^rcons.
In pursuance of which Com^on and Letter, the ffifth day of
this instant September at the Court house in New Yarmouth
in Kent County wee did call and cause to come before us the
said Majo^r James Ringold, and the said Anne Joce, and then
and there published the said Com^onrequesting the said
parties, what evidence they had of either side, that they would
cause them to appeare before us, there to be sworne and
examined upon the truth or untruth of the said scandalous
Letter, soe that after examination wee might have whereof to
make report unto his said Lord^sp & Councill
The parties present when the said pretended actions were
committed appeareing before us; who haveing first taken their
oathes upon the holy Evangelists to make true Evidence and
testimony to the best of their knowledge in what shall be
required of them doe declare as foll.

p. 129