Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 16-Oct. 2, 1696. 439

question put is not yet rightly answered viz^t Of his being a
Priest or Deacon which if the House acknowledge as it is
believed they cant otherwise in a matter so apparent to the
whole Country this Board does then Wonder how they so
Rashly presume to make a Vote against the known Laws of
England according to the opinion of the Lawyers thereon now
before them
As to the qualifications of the Person the annexed depositions
will demonstrate and it is appealed to the whole House
whether in his life and conversation he does not appear so
haniously flagitious and wicked scarce to be parrelled in the
Province whereof the House must needs be conscious and dare
presume that divers of the members have (at some time or
other) in his Debaucheries heard him publickly Blaspheme
and it is lastly left to the consideration of the House his Fac-
tious contradictory Spirit in all manner of Business and whether
he has not at this present Cost the County more Tobacco then
Perhaps he is worth or ever will do them good
Signed p Order Hen Denton Cl Council

U. H. J.

September 2 2^d 1696 The Council Again Sate and were
Present as yesterday
Ordered that four of the Gentlemen of his Majestys honour-
able Council go down to the House and Acquaint the Speaker
that his attendance with all the members is required forthwith
at this Board and accordingly went Col^o Hutchins Col^o Addison
M^r Brooks and M^r Frisby who return and say they delivered
their message and that pursuant thereto the House is coming
up
Came accordingly M^r Speaker attended with the whole
House to whom his Excellency is pleased to express himself
as follows viz^t
M^r Speaker and you Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses
I am sorry to have sent for you here upon this Occasion at this
time and I cannot but remind to you that you have not dealt
faithfully in your Answer to the question put in relation to
M^r Cood viz^t in ascertaining whether he is a Deacon or Priest
which I am Given to understand he is and therefore do wonder
that the House should presume so far as to make a vote
against the known Laws of England by which you have
brought it to this pass that a Vote of your House must stand
flat in Opposition to an Act of Parliament If I should suffer it
so to go on, but Gentlemen I do acquaint you that I shall not
swear that Person notwithstanding your Vote and if you will
proceed to Business I am here ready with his Majestys honble
Council to Attend the same
I am sorry the House should continue so stiff so many days

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