476 Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 16-0ct. 2, 1696.

L. H. J.

to send some of his Ma^tys hon^ble Councill to administer unto
them the Oaths appointed by Act of Assembly and of the
Oaths of Allegiance and Test.
M^r Henry Denton Clarke of the hon^ble Councill came
downe to the house and say that his Ex^cy commanded him to
Acquaint the house that Col: Cood one of the members
desired to be sworne is a priest and therefore uncapable of
Sitting in the house of Assembly.
Whereupon Resolved unanimously the following Message
be sent to his Ex^cy

p. 106

By the house of Burgesses Sept^r the 18^th 1696.

Your Ex^cy having made this house acquainted by the Clarke
of the Councill that Lieu' Col: John Cood is a Priest and
therefore, by law uncapable of sitting in this house.
Thereupon we humbly acquaint your Ex^cy that we find the
said Lieut. Col: Cood is a member duly elected, that he hath
satt in the Generall Assemblys of this Province for almost
twenty years together that he hath also had severall Comis-
sions as well from the Lord Baltemore as his Present Sacred
Ma^ty for the executing and exercising both Judiciall and Min-
isteriall offices as other his Ma^tys Subjects being laymen have
accustomed to doe.
We humbly conceive ourselves proper Judges of our own
members.
And therefore have Resolved that the said John Cood is
legally qualifyed to sitt as a member in this house.
Signed p Or^d W Bladen Clk: Assembly.

Col: Beall Col: Hynson, Maj^r Hamond, Major Barton, Cap^t
Jenkins, M^r Saunders &c. was sent up with said Message.
House adjourned for two hours.

Post Merediem House mett Col. Beall and the other
members sent returne and say they have delivered their
Message.
Resolved the following Message be sent to his Ex^cy

By the house of Burgesses Sept^r the 18^th 1696.

We humbly desire your Ex^cy will be pleased to send downe
some of his Ma^tys hon^ble Councill to administer the usuall
Oaths to the new Elected Members according to our late
request to the end we may proceed to business.
Signed p Order, W^m Bladen Clk: Assembly