Assembly Proceedings, May 8-22, 1695. 155

Relating to the Sailing of the Shipping now within this Prov-
ince do Agree and concurr with all the reasons laid down
therein and do say that they do believe that the great Rains
that lately have been, have occasioned at least a Months loss
of time, Secondly Wee say that it will conduce much to his
Ma^ts Service and the Advantage of all his Subjects concern'd
that the Commandore stay untill the last of June, by which
time Wee reasonably conjecture all the ffleet may be ready at
Kiquotan to Attend & waite the Motion of the Comandore.
Signed p Ord^r W Bladen Clk Assembly

The hon^ble John Courts and James Frisby Esq^rs (upon some
Urgent occasions calling them) crave leave of his Ex^ncy and
the Board to Retire home which was granted them.

May 17^th 1695.

Councill again Sate and were Present as before Except M^r
Courts and M^r Frisby.
Presented unto his Ex^ncy by Severall Persons, called Quakers
a Peticon by way of Address, Wherein among severall Articles
therein laid down they do say that they are rendered incapable
to serve the King or their Countrey being vnder Scruple of
Conscience and Cannot swear so that if they see a felonious
Act committed or hear any seditious Words Spoken, they
cannot without great danger to themselves discover the same
because they cannot give such formall Testimony as the Law
requires, and so the parties Escape for want of such testimony
and actions brought against them for slander or defamation
perhaps for their paines: Whereupon his Ex^ncy demanded if
they did not think they were Obliged to discover such Matters,
being Made privy to them Who make Answer they do hold
themselves Obliged. In another Article they say they have
not afforded them the birth Right of an English Man; To
which his Ex^ncy demands if they did not Receive in this Prov-
ince Right and Priviledge equall with their Bretheren in Eng-
land Who confess they do, but they Expected some other
priviledges haveing been at great charge & Expences in the
helping to serve this Governm^t Ordered that the s^d peticon be
Referred to the consideration of the house of Burgesses and
was sent down by the hon^ble Col John Addison & Thomas

To which the following Answer was sent. Viz^t

By the house of Burgesses May 17^th 1695.

As to the first part of this Petition, Viz^t the dispensing with
taking the Oathes, tis the Opinion of this house, that it is

Original
Journal.