Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 371

         By his Exncy the Capt Genll &ca A Proclamacon     Lib. H. D.

    Maryland ss

     Whereas upon the late joyfull & happy news signifyed

    unto me from the Rtt Honable the Lords of the Councill for

    Trade & fforreign Plantations, of a Peace concluded between

    his Sacred Majesty and the ffrench King, it hath been

    maturely considered by his Majtes Honoble Councill of this

    Province tht the speedy calling of an Assembly will be highly

    necessary and expedient; ffirst for the better solemnizing a

    day of Public Thanksgiving to be appointed & sett a part

    for such an inestimable blessing under the Divine Providence

    procured by his Majtes most puissant Armes and unparralleled

    conduct & valour; Secondly for settling the matter about the

    Indians & the new additional Rangers wch ‘tis hoped may not

    be necessary now longer to be continued; and for severall

    other weighty affairs importing his Majtes and the Countreys

    Service; Expecting likewise some further Commands from his

    MajtY and their said Lopps by other Shipps dayly expected,

    wch may be necessary to be laid before an Assembly, for wch

    reasons it hath been this day concluded in Councill tht an

    Assembly meet at the Town & Port of Annapolis the 23d day

    of ffebry next ensuing the date hereof To which end Writts

    of Election are Ordered to be issued as usual in such case

    But forasmuch as the Provincial Court of this Province stands

    adjourned to the last tuesday in ffebry by wch means the said

    Assembly will consequently interfere therewith, wch is judged

    inconvenient that they be held both at one time; And

    forasmuch as I am inform'd the present business of that Court

    may without prejudice or damage be put off until some

    further time. I do by and wth the advice of his Majtes

    Honoble Councill think fitt to to further adjourn the said Court

    until the sixth day of April next ensuing the date hereof; and

    the same is hereby adjourned accordingly. Comanding that 622

    all writts, precepts & process returneable to the sd Court

    be continued & in full force untill the sd sixth day of Aprill.

    The severall Sherriffs of the Province being hereby strictly

    charged & required forthwith to give notice and make Pro

    clamation thereof in all Churches, Chappells & other publick

    places of meeting within their respective Counties, whereunto

    all persons concern'd are to yield all due and ready obedience

    at their utmost perill; Given at Battell Town in Calvert County

    under the Broad Seale of the Province this 11th day of Janry

    1697/8 in the ninth year of his Majtys Reign.

                               ffr. Nicholson

                    God save the King.