Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 405

                   April the 4th 1698           Lib. X.

      The Council again Sate & were present as on saterday

    Mr Jenkins & Major Thompson two of the Justices of the

    provincial Court humbly move that whereas they have attended

    at the time of the Assembly & the one being a Naval Officer

    & the other Sick they may be Excused from Staying this

    provincial Court & have leave to retire home

      To whom his Excellency is pleased to say he shall take no p. 21

    Notice of their going if the same be Satisfactory to the Court

      Mr Crawfords Bond of Good Behaviour is upon his Motion

      Ordered to be Cancelled—

      The honble James Frisby Esqr has the leave of the Board

    to retire home Captain Richd Hanken is admitted to make

    Entry of his Ship in this port.

      Captain Samuel Philips Iunr Commander of the Ship Balti

    more of London being Sent for Came he is asked to give an

    Accot Concerning their taking of Register for ships whether

    the Commissioners required that the Oath should be made

    by One of the Owners who says that at first there was a

    Scruple whether Oath should not be made by some of the

    Owners but afterwards the Commissioners admitted the

    Masters though not an owner to make Oath & register

    their Vessels as also the Quakers after the Form the Act of

    Parliament prescribes to the truth whereof the said Captain

    Philips made Oath

      Also there were Several Presidents here produced & read

    Confirming the same

      Whereupon it is the Opinion of this Board that the Masters

    of Ships petitioning for Registring their respective Vessels

    may upon making Oath who are the Owners therefore &Ca

    be Legally admitted to register the Same

      It is thought Necessary by this Board that a Representation

    be laid before his most sacred Majesty that the Rumors &

    Reports spread abroad in this province by the Romish party

    & other disaffected persons in this his Majestys Government

    of the Lord Baltimores Likelihood of having the Government p. 22

    again by which Means some of the Inhabitants being put in

    hopes others in fear the same gives Occasion to Divisions &

    making parties to the Disturbance of the Government until

    such time as his Majestys Royal pleasure shall be known

    therein And that it is also Represented by his Majestys

    Council of this Province that a Church Government being

    Setled & Established here As also a protestant Government

    the ill Consequences that will happen if in case the Lord

    Baltimore should be restored to the Government as formerly

    besides the Great Mischief that would consequently Ensue