Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 16-Oct. 2, 1696. 437

M^r Cheseldyn M^r Sollicitor General M^r Clark M^r Watkins M^r
Boothby and M^r Helmsley to whom his Excellency was
pleased to say that the occasion of his sending for them at
this time was about a Person whom he understood was made
Choice of to be a member of the House of Burgesses that was
Ordained a Priest and therefore demanded their opinion
whether he could be admitted to sitt as a member of the
House of Burgesses telling them an Example of England in
that case and another of this Province that have denied
Clergymen that Priviledge and the question is further put
whether a Priest can dispriest himself
The said Questions being seperately answered by the said
Gentlemen who are also of opinion that no Person in holy
Orders is qualified by Law to sit in the house of Commons
and so by consequence not in the House of Burgesses here
and that it is an indeleble Character stamped upon them which
cannot be taken of but by the Ordinary or Power by which
the same was Conferred.
His Excellency after the Lawyers were withdrawn was
pleased to demand of the Board whether they know of any
thing further to be considered or proper to be done in this
matter who say they do not it is therefore Ordered that a
Copy of the said proposalls and opinions be drawn forth
against the morning to be laid before the House for their
consideration

September 19^th 1696.
The Council again sate and were Present as yesterday

U. H. J.

The foregoing Proposalls and Lawyers opinions being pur-
suant to Order prepared were sent down to the House by
Col^o Robotham and Col^o Greenberry. The messengers
return and say they could not deliver their message by reason
the House was adjourned

Monday September the 21^st 1696 The Council again sate and
were Present as on Saturday except Col^o Greenberry

The messengers on Saturday sent with the last message
are Ordered to carry the same down now who return and say
they delivered the same
Brought from the House of Burgesses by M^r Hutchins and
Major Smallwood the following message viz^t

By the House of Burgesses September the 21^st 1696

This House having carefully and maturely considered the
last message and Objection made against the qualification of

p. 904