|
a vestryman is not lyable to the law as you would seem to
Insinuate.
You may remember his Excy told you att the beginning of
the sessions that he had and would endeavour to supporte the
Creditt and reputation of all those who were in Imploy under
his Matya here with all the power he had, provided they
behaved themselves well, and if there be any thing wanting
that is reasonable in answring your address concerning them
his Excy will be willing to pass any law or ordinance to that
effect, but he is afraid that the reasons why some of the
Justices and Vestrymen have not that honr obedience and
respect shewn to them but slighted and contemned by the vulgar
is theire own actions and behavioure and he is affraid they
suffer themselves to be abused and affronted in open Court
without punishing the offenders, that they suffer curseing and
Swearing drunkenness and quarrelling too oft in court times.
And how some of the Justices have allowed themselves and
others Tobo out of the publick contrary to Law Vizt St Mary's,
Calvert, Prince Georges, Dorchester and Sommersett Coun-
tyes as by Coppyes of the said County Leavyes herewith sent
may appear.
It is very Supriseing to his Excy Your representing his sitt-
ing in view of the Provinciall Court strikes an awfull fear upon
Attorneys Jurors and Suitors, but sure it cannot be upon those
that are honest, but is in hopes it dos upon the Knaves.
Some of the Kings of England have sett in theire Courts att
Westminster Hall, and when they have vouchsafed the courts
the honour they have come to hear causes as Spectators, and
he dos not understand what you mean by being restreined
from that Liberty and freedom heretofore used.
And he hopes in God you can neither Jointly nor Severally
accuse him of doing injustice either in Courts or out of them
since he hath had the honour to Govern this Country under
his Maty: but if you can, he wils you Legally to prove it.
As for your address concerning the five Laws your resolve
is since all the Acts for Imposition will not be repealed the
house are willing they should expire of themselves, so that his
Excy supposes it to be in vaine if it should be offered fore or
three of them to be taken off, but your being persuaded that in
strictness of Law a prorogation is the end of an Assembly,
seems to be a very odd, dangerous and unprsidentiall opinion
And if he should comply with your request that the said Im-
position might no more be demanded revived or enacted, he
should be guilty of dispensing with the said five Laws and as
for what money or Tobo have been raised by virtue of those
laws he hopes hath not been disposed off any other ways then
as the said Laws direct, But if himselfe or any other hath done
|
Original
Journal.
|
