Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 16-Oct. 2, 1696. 481

The which being read, Ordered the following Message be
sent to the hon^ble Councill.

By the house of Burgesses Sept^r the 21^st 1696

The house before sending the last message in relation to
Col: Cood did examine as well of his Qualification to Sett 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 set as a
member of this house, notwithstanding what was alledged.
Therefore humbly pray as in our former Message we have
prayed.
Signed p ord^r W Bladen Clk: Assembly

Sent p Cap^t Hoskins and M^r Ashman who are ordered to
present Col. Cood.
Coll Cood offers to depose that he is not a priest
House adjourned till to morrow morning at 7 o'clock.

Tuesday Sept^r the 22^d 1696.

House met: The hon^ble Col. Hutchins, Col. Addison, Tho^s
Brooke Esq^r and James Frisby Esq^r come downe to the house
and signifye that his Ex^cy requests their attendance imedi-
ately at the Councill Chamber, whereupon M^r Speaker and
the rest of the members adjourned themselves to the Councill
chamber to attend upon his Ex^cy where being admitted his
Ex^cy was pleased to acquaint M^r Speaker and the House of
Burgesses, that he was sorry to send for them upon this occa-
sion (to witt) that they should persist to Have M^r John Cood
sworne a member of their house.
That they would not suffer any vote of the [House to
stand in] opposition to an Act of Parliament the King-
dom of England.
That he was s^d Cootie for the af^d reason
But be better informed what a sorte of wicked and
pson they had spent much tyme and run the country
to so much charge in endeavouring to uphold, he delivered
unto them severall depositions by which the said Cood
appeared to be guilty in the highest degree of Blaspheming the
holy Trinity.
After which his Ex^cy was pleased to tell the house, if they
would proceed to do the Countrys business on which they
were sent he would with his Mat^ys Councill attend thereon,
and pray'd God to direct them.
Whereupon M^r Speaker and the rest of the members take
leave and departe to the house

31

L. H. J.