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

            Lib. H. D.     on the Continent of America, & in all the Islands thereunto

                  belonging &ca As also their Agent where no other persons

                  are appointed.

                    Then produced two severall Comissions under the Seale of

                  the Admiralty of England bearing date 17th of June 1697.

                  and directed to the sd Esqr Randolph, Thomas Robinson, and

                  John George; Empowering them to examine into imbezle

                  ments of all prize Shipps and Goods &ca and to make appraise

                  ments and to dispose &ca all wch were severally read over.

                  His Exncy is pleased to signify to the Gentlemen of his Majtes

                  Honoble Councill that the Chief reason of giving them this

                  trouble of meeting here at this time, was to consult & take

                  their advice about calling of an Assembly, wch upon this

                  joyfull & happy news of a peace, in order to appointing a day

                  of publick thanksgiving to be solemnly kept for the same,

                  and for settling the matter about the Indians and Rangers

                  and for other weighty reasons importing his Majtes and the

                  Countreys sevice; besides his dayly expectation of some

                  further Commands from his MajtY by the Shipps now comeing.

                  he holds it to be highly necessary & convenient that an

                  Assembly be called to meet as soon as it is possible for them

                  to be gott together & therefore willed them to give their

                  opinion. Whereupon after deliberate & mature consultation

               p. 621 therein had it is agreed and concluded that an Assembly be

                  called to meet and sit at the Town & Port of Annapolis the

                  23d day of ffebry next and Ordered accordingly that Writts of

                  Election immediately issue out of his Majtes High Court of

                  Chancery to the severall Sheriffs of the Province according

                  to usual forme, for the Collecting of four Delegates for each

                  County & two for the City of St Maries, as by the Act of

                  Assembly of this Province in tht case is prescribed and

                  directed.

                    It being consider'd tht the Provincial Court stands adjourn'd

                  to the last Tuesday in ffebry So tht by consequence the

                  Assembly will come to interfere therewith, wch is thought

                  inconvenient tht they should sitt both at one time; therefore

                  Ordered tht the sd Court be farther adjourn'd untill the sixth

                  day of Aprill next and tht Proclamation issue accordingly,

                  which difference of time, is thought will be no waies prejudicall

                  to any Law Suites now there depending.

                    Pursuant whereto a Proclamation being prepared was read

                  and approved off and signed by his EXnCY & passed the Broad

                  Seale of the Province; the Tenor whereof follows in these

                  words Vizt