Proceedings of the Council of Mezryland, 1694 97. 577

   believe the same was granted of his own free will, and by Lib. H. D.

   Advice of the honrble the Councill of the Province.

   Jurat in Cur die et Anno Supdcis   K: Cheseldyn

                 H:    Wriothesley Clk: of the provll Court.

   Mr Dents I under written do Testifye that I have been some

   Oath abt his            . .   . .

   Exncysyears in his Mats Service within this Province as

   LegallSollicitor Genll under the prseflt Governrs Conduct

   Governmt  and by his Cornand and during that time I have

   been often Comanded to Attend his Exncy but in all that time

   I can and doe say that his Exncy neaver Required advised or

   Comanded me to prossecute or doe any thing Contrary to or

   against Law or Ever Comanded me to strain or Urge any

   thing agt any man Contrary to or beyond the Law but to the

   best of my remembrance hath Constantly and at all times

   Comanded me to proceed according to the Law but neaver as

   I know Urged me to any thingbeyond what the law warranted

   and to the best of my knowledge I have not in the sd Service

   Acted Contrary to Law.

     Jurat in Cur 12° Decrs 1696.

                               H:     Wriothesley Clk:

   Mr ffreemans I John ffreeman (who have been for the Space of

   Oath about

   his Exncys two years and almost three months, and am still,

   Legail Gov- Register of the high Court of Chancery for the

     Province of Maryland) do upon my Oath and with

   all Sincerity, testify and declare, That his Exncy ffrancis Nich

   olson Esq Capt Genll & Governr of this Province did never

   directly nor Indirectly, (by any Cofliand or other means what

   soever) enjoyn or Require me to Act or doe any matter or

   thing contrary unto any Law, Statute, Usage or Custom of

   England or of this Province; nor to use partiallity for or agt

   any person, in any Cause commenc'd or depending in the

   sd Court, And in all doubtfull & difficult Cases wherein (by

   reason of the absence of the Chancelor or other prsons prin

   cipally Concernd) I have been necessitated to Request his

   Exncys directions, This only Answer have I allways recd: (to p. 85

   wit) That it was his pleasure & Comand that I should Con

   sult the Law and advise with the proffessors thereof: and

   upon due Information act according to their Instructions and

   the Degrees Rules and Orders of his Mats high Court of

   Admllty without respect of persons or delay of Causes. Nor

   do I know or believe tht his Exncy ever Received any Guift, or

   so much as a promise of any Guift whatsoever, from any

   person, to Conferr any place or Office, or ifavour any Cause,

   37