310 Assembly Proceedings, June 2-June 22,1699.

Original
Journal.

The s^d Col Ienkins Returns to the Board & Reports th^t he
has Administred the s^d Oaths &c to the Cap^t Worthington who
took them and likewise Subscribed the Test and Association.
His Ex^cy haveing first acquainted Col Henry Jowles the
p^rsent keeper of the Great Seale now lays before the Board a
Certein Clause in his Matys Royall Comission to him for the
Governm^t here whereby his Matys Royall Will is Signifyed
that he shall and may keep and use the great Seale of this
province.
Tells the Board that upon his Arrivall he did not take any
notice of it but has now thought fitt so to do understanding the
settling the Courts of Law and Equity is now under the Con-
sideration of the Assembly
And the Councill being Severally Asked whether his Ex^cy
according to the Tenor of his Matys Royall Will and pleasure
Express in his Comission to his Ex^cy ought not to keep the s^d
Great Seale who do all of them severally say that without
Dispute he ought
And Col Henry Iowles being Asked if he has any thing to
say ag^t it who say he has not.
the following Messages sent by his Ex^cy & the Councill to
the house by Col Henry Iowles and Thomas Tench Esq^r with
his Matys Royall Comission to his Ex^cy

By the Councill in Assembly Iuly the 6^th 1699.

His Ex^cy hath been pleased this day to lay before us his
Matys Royall Comission for the Govermn' of this province and
therein observed a Clause touching the publick Seate of this
Province in these words And our Will and pleasure is that you

p. 3⁶

shall and may keep and use the publick Seale appointed or to
be appointed by us for the province of Maryland as by the said
Comission herewith sent Appears.
By which his Matys Royall Comand and Authority to his
Ex^cy to keep and use that Seale Appears plain to this Board
and past Denyall.
It is therefore recomended to the house of Delegates to
Compose such a Law to regulate the Chancery proceedings
instead of the former as may Answer his Matys Comands in
that particular which is hoped may redound to the benefitt and
Ease of the people that are Suito^rs to that Court
Signed p Order
W Bladen Cl Concil

Gentⁿ of the house of Delegates.
Notwithstanding I have a possitive Instruction from his Maty
for keeping the great Seale of this province I rather Choose to