296 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98.

           Lib. H. D.     having first drawn the heads of our Instructions into Writing,

                 as proposalls to lay before his Exncy wch we presented to his

                 Exncy who recd & read the same & return'd for answer, that

                 since the Matter had been so maturely considered on as was

               598   expressed he thought convenient to take some time to con

                 sider of suitable answers; We desired to know what time or

                 methods his Exncy would take to consider and returne answer;

                 to his Exncy replyed tht if we desired it he would instantly

                 return such a verball answer as he could; but if we would

                 stay longer he would endeavour to return an answer suitable

                 to the concern in Writing, wherein he would endeavour not

                 to be wanting in anything; to wch we replyed it was not our

                 intent or desire to straiten his Exncy in point of time, but that

                 it was our business & we would waite on his Exncy till he

                 should please to say he had no other answer to give us; Not

                 but that if his Exncy would give us a verball answer & Sah

                 that he had no further answer to give, we would returne wity

                 that & returne it as well as we could. His Exncy replyed, he

                 would advise & return a suitable answer, for wch we thanked

                 his Exncy stayed there, dined and at night return'd to Iames

                 Town. Collo Bird was present during the above Communi

                 cation, and the Copy of the proposalls is hereunto annexed.

                   Saturday 6th Novemr We stay'd in Iames Town and under

                 stood that his Exncy had appointed a Councill to meet at Iames

                 Towne on Tuesday following.

                   Sunday 7th His Exncy Invited us to dinner. After Sermon

                 we went, and his EXnCY after dinner came back with us to

                 Evening Sermon.

                   Munday 8th Novemr His Exncy lent us two horses & men,

                 and we went to see the Colledge and return'd at night.

                   Tuesday 9th Novemr We dined in the Hall at Iames

                  Towne, with the Governr and Council], to wit, Coll Lee, Collo

                  Bird Collo Ienings, Collo Hill, Mr Tench being taken very ill

                  at Table was constrained to depart to his Lodgings and to

                  bedd. After Dinner, his Exncy sent Mr Sherlock the Clerk of

                  the Councill to us, that the Governt and Councill were ready

                  to see us, but by reason of the indisposition aforesd. We

                  were not both able to attend and therefore sent word, we

                  desired till next day, and it was granted.

                   Wednesday 10th Novemr We again dined wth the Governr

                  & Councill in the Hall; and after dinner the Governr & Councill

                  sate and sent the Clerk again to us, and we attended where

                  Chaires being sett for us after we were sett downe, His

                  Exncy was pleased to say that he had laid our proposalls before

                  the Gentlemen of the Council, WCh he had caused to come

                  there to consult thereon; was sorry that the other Gentlemen

                  of the Councill were not there, to whome he had also sent;