Assembly Proceedings, May 26-June 11, 1697. 513

effect the finishing thereof, there being left about 53^ls sterl. in
hand to doe it two thirds of the charge being already paid to
the said ffreeman as p receipt appeares

Read part of a Lre by his Ex^cy received from the hon^ble John
Povey Esq^r dated the 20^th of October last past wherein he
writes he has not bin wanting to solicite the Council of trade
both by himselfe & M^r Randolph about the Maryland Coynes
which nevertheles he hopes now by M^r Blaythwaits means to
bring to some determinacon very soone
Read also another Letter by his Ex^cy recd from the said Jn^o
Povey Esq^r dated 27^th of August last past relating to Coynes
formerly read at this board the 16^th of March past together
with the Council proceedings thereon. Ordered that the same
be layd before the house for their Cognizance & whether they
thinke fit to give any further answer in that matter
Produced & read a Lre by his Ex^cy rec'd from the hon^ble Coll
Andrew Hamilton with proposalls in relacon to erecting post
office here
Read also a Letter by his Ex^cy reed from his Ex^cy Coll
Benjamin ffletcher Govern^t of new yorke dated the 8^th day of
ffebruary last past together with his Ex^cyes answer to the same
all which were Ordered to be layd before the house for their
perusall & cognizance
A Letter of Severall Queries & Instruccons by his Ex_cy reed
from the R^t hon^ble the Lords of the Council for trade &c dated
the 25^th of September 1696 being here read was to the generall
satisfaccon of" this Board ffor that his Ma^ty hath been soe
gratiously pleased to have that particuler regard to these
plantacons by Constituting such a Council of trade that are soe
careful & dilligent in looking after the affaires of the same ffor
the very great promotion of his Ma^tys service here and the good
& benefit of the said plantacons in generall Ordered that the
same be layd before the house of Delegates for their Con-
sideracon and answering the severall Quaeries therein put
Produced & read a peticon of M^r John fireeman Reg^t of his
Ma^tys high Court of Chancery of this province praying some
settlement of fees may be made him in that Imploy &^c Ordered
that the same be referred to the house of Delegates for their
Consideracon
That a Quserie be put to the house whether it will not be
proper to encourage some small number of men to goe out
beyond the mountaines this sumer vpon discovery &c.

Original
Journal.
p. 7

It is Remarked from the board that they doe not omit off
or allow that the Clke of the house should signe as Clerke of
the Assembly It is to be observed also That he conclude not
his Journall by Saying the Assembly prorogues themselves

33

p. 8