510 Assembly Proceedings, May 26-June 11, 1697.

U. H. J.

Several other proposalls being considered of by this Board
are Ordered to be fair drawn forth against the morning in
order to be laid before the House

May the 28^th 1967. The Council again sate and were
present

His Excellency Francis Nicholson Esq^r Captain General &^ca
Sir Thomas Lawrence Baronett Secretary, Thomas Tench Esq^r
Col^o Henry Jowles Col^o Nicholas Greenberry Col^o Charles
Hutchins Col" John Courts

Brought from the House of Delegates by Captain Hill and
nine other members the following Message viz.

By the House of Delegates May the 28^th 1697

That we may not err in our dutiful Respects to your Excel-
lency, yet maintain our own Rights and priviledges as the
representative Body of this province first we being informed
by our Committee of laws that their Clerk is taken into
Custody by the Sheriff of Ann Arundell County by a Precept
from your Excellency and his Majestys honourable Council
for what Reason we know not which we humbly Conceive to
be a great Breach of the Priviledges of this House.
2^dly We humbly desire your Excellency and the honourable
Council will please to signify to us the Reasons of such his
Commitment
Signed p Order
W Bladen Clk Delegates

p. 926

The messengers return acquainted that this Board were not
sensible of any Employment William Taylard Clerk had from
the House neither did he himself Intimate the least thing
thereabout but they are told that the Cause of his Commit-
ment proceeded from a Complaint made by the honourable his
Majestys Secretary of this province for the said Taylards
detaining in his Custody a Book of Fees belonging to the
Secretarys Office notwithstanding he the said Taylard had
taken an Oath formerly before his Excellency in Council that
he had delivered up all Publick Books Papers &c into that
Office therefore does suppose that the House will not go
about to protect a person charged with such a crime but see
him severely prosecuted Requiring the Messengers to make
the like Report Accordingly to the House