Assembly Proceedings, Oct. 20-Nov. 12,1698. 179

The humble address of the house of Delegates

May it please yo^r Ex^cy
Where as his Ma^ty out of his princely Care to know how his
Subjects in these remote parts are Governed has Comanded a
Journall as well of the house of Delegates as of his Councill
be sent to the L^ds of the Councill of Trade and planta-
tions
1. That yo^r Ex^cy would grant that this house may Cause a
Copy to be transcribed dureing the sessions and Sealed
and sent by the house to p^rvent all Jealousies and suspitions
of haveing of Lres Addresses and other publicque Acts
Changed or altered through the mistake and deficiency of
Clks in Transcribeing or otherwise
2. And that whereas yo^r Ex^cy hath been often pleased to
promise to maintaine our Just and Lawfull Rights & privi-
ledges we therefore humbly Implore yo^r Ex^cy that neither
Implicitely or Expressly to Menace Deterr or overawe the
house or any member thereof from freely debateing matters in
this house and humbly desire yo^r Ex^cy to App^rhend and think
that we are his Ma^tys Dutifull and Loyall Subjects

Original
Journal.

3. That no member of the house be declared Malignant
nor Comanded before the Councill nor any otherwise dis-
turbed or sumoned by his Ma^tys writt of Venire for theire free
speaking in the House as long as they keep themselves
within theire Duty to his Ma^ty nor that yo^r Ex^cy would trouble
any member for any Sly secret and Comonly fake reportes of
any thing done in the house but onely take Notice of what is
reported to you from the house and no further.
4 That yo^r Ex^cy receive into your Speciall protection all
such Gentlemen as for no reward Serve his Ma^ly in the office
of Justice of peace and other offices and not Suffer them to be
harrast & troubled upon obsolete Laws or otherwise unjustly
and nothing materiall proved Ag' them
5. And that yo^r Ex^cy would Abstaine from Calling the
Clks of the Comittes upon Oath to discover all done in theire
Comittees &c.
6. And whereas Juryes are allways Accompted An Es-
peciall Bullworke to protect our libertyes and priviledges from
Arbitrary Governm^t we therefore make our humble Addresses
That no Iuro^rs may be unjustly vexed menaced ove^rawed or
Deterred for and from freely giveing theire verdict accord-
ing to theire Conscience and Duty nor bound in any Recog-
nizances for the peace or unjustly psecuted for so doing but
that they may have freedome and liberty freely & Clearly to
give theire Verdict without any App'hesions of fear or Danger
and be saved harmless for the same unless they may Justly

p. 31