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

U. H. J.

Col^o John Cood to sit in this House as a Burgess and that we
might be fully Informed in the premises have appointed our
committee of Elections and Priviledges to inquire and
examine into the same who have accordingly done so and
made their Report thereof thereupon it was put to the Vote
whether the House should concur with the said committee
that the said Cood was not qualified to sit here or not and
thereupon it is carried and Resolved by Majority of Voices in
this House that the said Cood is qualified to sit as a member
whereupon we humbly present him to have the usual Oaths
administred
Signed p Order W Bladen Clk Assembly.

An Answer to the foregoing Message was Ordered to be
drawn up & as follows Viz^t

By his Excellency the Governor and Council &c
September the 21^st 1696.

The Message by Major Smallwood and M^r Hutchinson in
relation to M^r Cood was Received and read here and this
Board does conceive that the question thereabout put is not
rightly answered for that it is not disputed whether he is
rightly chosen but whether he is a deacon or Priest and so
not qualified to sit by the Law of England an answer thereto
is by this Board Possitively demanded
p Order Hen Denton Cl Council

The said message being sent down to the House came
answered as follows viz^t

By the House of Burgesses September 21^st 1696

This House before sending the last message in relation to
Col^o Cood did examine as well of his Qualification to sit as of
the dueness of his Election and it did Appear to us that he
was not only duly Elected but also Legally qualified to sitt as
a member of this House notwithstanding what was alledged
therefore humbly pray as in our former message have prayed
Signed p Order W Bladen Clk Assembly

An Ans^r thereto was drawn up & sent as fol^s

By his Excellency the Governor and Council &c September
21^st 1696.
The last message from your House touching the case of
M^r Cood was Received whereby this Board does find that the