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

            Lib. H. D. his Exncy in Councill, the Oaths appointed by Act of Parlia

                  ment to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance &

                  Supremacy and subscribed to the Test; And the said Esqr

                  Tench took also the usual Oath of ludge, and the said Henry

                  Denton the usual Oath of Marshall of the said Court.

                    Produced and read a Commission under the hand & Scale

                  of the Honoble Edwd Randolph Esqr Surveyer Genrll of his

                  Majesties Customes on the Continent of America and Islands

                  adjacent bearing date the 24th day of December 1697. Con

                  stituting Edward Price Genl Surveyor and Searcher of all Shipps

                  and Vessells &ca trading into Pocomoke River and all the

                  Bayes Creeks and Harbours thereto belonging, scituate on

                  the Eastern Shore, both in Maryland and Virginia side; which

                  was well approved off; and the said Mr Price (being present)

                  had Administred unto him the Oaths appointed by Act of

                  Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and

                  Supremacy; as also the Oath of trade and Navigation and

                  Subscribed to the Test.

                          ffebry the 25th 1697/8

                         The Council again State and were present

                         His Exncy ffrancis Nicholson Esqr Capt Genll &ca

                             Sr Thomas Laurence Barontt Secry

                           Edward Randolph Esqr

                    Vpon a Petition of W Samll Davies of Somrsett County this

                  day produced and read, thereby humbly submitting himselfe

                  in the matter concerning Mr Layfields pretended Marriage;

                  craving pardon &ca It is considered by this Board that the

                  said Mr Davies be discharged from his further attendance,

                  and from all manner of prossecution in thu behalfe, whereof as

                  well the Sherriff of Somersett County as all other persons

                  concern'd are to take due notice and it is Ordered accordingly.

                    Vpon a Letter produced & read sent unto the Reverend

                  Mr Peregrine Coney from Mr James Brechin of Somersett

                  County desiring him to signify to his Exncy how tht his present

                  indisposition hindred his attendance, in pursuance of his

                  Exncyes Summons for his appearance to answer some complaint

                  as being present & assenting to Mr Layfields pretended

                  Marriage, therein alledging that he did not promote, but

                  oppose the same; yet denyes not, but that (after the Cere

                  mony was over) he said it was autbentick, expressing his

                  Sorrow and humble Submission &ca

               p.     637 It is considered by this Board, that for the said Mr Brechins

                  humble Submission in that behalfe, he be discharged from all

                  manner of attendance or further prossecution touching that