576 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97.

     Lib. H. D. Sworn unto in Open Court before the Honrble Sr Thomas

            Laurence Baront one of his Mats honrble Councill the day and

            year abovesaid.

                         H:    Wriothesley Clerk of the Provll Court.

           Mr Hen:   I Henry Denton doe hereby Certifye and declare

                S that whereas I have had the ifavour to Enjoy Severall

                    places of proffitt since the Arrivall of his Exncy

            ffrancis Nicholson Esq within this Province; Vizt Clerk of his

            Mats honrble Councill of State & in the Assembly, Regr of his

            Mats Court of Vice Admiralty on the Western Shore & Navall

            Officr of the Port of Annapolis, the which I now hold by hisS

            Exncys particular favour; but never gave the least gratuity or

            reward for the Enjoymt of any of the sd places, neither at any

            time did I ever Receive any directions or Comand either

            directly or Indirectly to do any thing Contrary to my Duty in

            the Execution of any of the sd Offices.

              J urat in Cur 12° Decrs 1696. Hen: Denton.

                  H: Wriothesley Clk.

            Mr Watkins    I under written doe swear that I have been Em-

            Oath about

            his Exncys ployed by his Exncy ffrancis Nicholson Esqr Governr of

            Governmt Maryland &ca as Navll Officer of Petuxant District and

            I doe declare tht during the time I have served in tht Office I

            never had or received any other instructions from him then to

            be dilligent and see the Laws of Trade and Navigacön care

            fully observed and put in Execution and that I never was

            pressed by his Exncy to do any thing in my sd Office but what

            the Law would Justifye me in and that I doe not pay any

            premium for my sd Office to his sd Exncy directly or Indirectly

            in any wise whatsoever.

            Jurat in Cur 12° Decrs 1696.      S: Watkins

                H.   Wriothesley Clk.

              I Kenelm Cheseldyn doe depose upon my Oath that having

         p. 84 been abt three years Commissary Genll under his Exncy Colonel

            Nicholson his Mats prsent Governr of this Province of Mary

            land and also one of the Masters in Chancary for some time

            and one of his Mats Justices for St Maries County Court in the

            sd Province agt his Exncy did never advise Councell or by

            any way or means influence me in any the sd Offices, to doe

            otherwise but what I was Obliged by Law and Equity to doe,

            and did always advise me to Act therein according to the best

            of my Skill and knowledge in the Same, and further that he

            Granted me the sd Place, without any Consideracon given, and