Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 16-Oct. 2, 1696. 435

Read over several References and proposalls in order to
be laid before the House which were approved of
It being signified from this Board to the House that the
severall Arms &c sent for out of England were now arrived
within this port therefore willed them to pitch upon some
House at present where they thought most convenient to
Lodge the same
In answer whereto the House send Captain Thomas Tasker
to acquaint his Excellency that they have agreed to Lodge the
same in Major Dorseys House for the Present therefore
prayed that the Account of the said Arms &c from Captain
Pagan sent in might be sent to the House for their perusall
which accordingly was delivered together with four Indentures
for new Burgesses elected
The honble Col^o John Addison and Thomas Brooke came
and were added

September 18^th 1696 The Council again Sate and were
Present as yesterday

This Board being acquainted from the House that they had
received Indentures for the Election of four new Burgesses
and did humbly desire his Excellency would send some of his
Majestys honourable Council to swear the said members now
returned his Excellency was pleased to return for answer by
the Clerk of the Council that he understood that M^r John
Cood one of the said new members was a Priest and therefore
not qualified by Law to set in that House.
Brought from the House of Burgesses the following Mes-
sage Viz^t

By the House of Burgesses September 18^th 1696.

Your Excellency having made this House acquainted by
the Clerk of the Council that Lieutenant Col^o John Cood is a
priest and therefore by Law uncapable of sitting in this
House thereupon we humbly acquaint your Excellency that we
find the said Lieutenant Col^o John Cood is a member of this
House duly Elected that he hath sate in the General Assem-
blies of this province for almost twenty years together that he
has had also several Commissions as well from the Lord Balti-
more as his present Sacred Majesty for the Executing and
Exercising both Judicial and Ministerial Offices as other his
Majestys Subjects Laymen have Accustomed to do we
humbly conceive our Selves proper Judges of our own mem-
bers and therefore have resolved that the said John Cood is
Legally qualified to sit as a member of this House
Signed p Order W Bladen Clk Assembly.

U. H. J.