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

          P. R. O.  persons, or other such like pretend to accuse me to yor Lordps

               they may be obliged to sign the same, & give security: for

               Cood and Slye ow more than they are worth; especially the

               latter; who wth much shirking keeps out of Jail. Mason and

               Clark have very inconsiderable Estates: So that when I have

               cleared my self, which I hope in God, to doe by yor Lordps

               permission; I may have my Remedy at Law agst. them. Its

               one of Coods principles that Fling a great deal of Dirt, and

               some will stick: and its not to be doubted but they agree with

               him therein.

                I neither pretend to be infallible, nor wise at all times; for I

               very well know that ‘tis in man to err, & none lives without

               faults: but I dare affirm to yor Lordps that mine are of the

               Understanding, and not of the will: especially those concern

               ing this his most sacred Majestys Government.

                When his Majestys Affairs obliged me calling the Council,

               I have done it: but several times have not been able to get 3

               of them together: So finding it absolutely necessary for his

               Majestys Service; I have called to my Assistance Major John

               Hammond who lives with in 3 miles of this place, is one of

               the Provincial Justices, and one of the Delegates for this

               County; with Captn Richard Hill, who lives just by the town,

               & is allso a Provincial Justice and Delegate: and sometimes

               Mr Thomas Tasker who lives from hence about 30 miles, and

               is one of the Provincial Justices also. If I had not called these

               Gentlemen:     I must have been forced either to have left his

               Majestys Business undone for want of 3 of the Council; or

               must have done it with the Assistance only of one or two of

               his Majestys Council.

                If what I have done herein, be not to yor Lordps Satisfaction:

               yet I hope yor Lordps will be pleased to grant me yor Pardon

               for it, as an intellectuall, and not a willfull Error: as allso for

               this very long letter: & that yor Lordps will be pleased to give

               me leave to assure yor Lordps that I must own myself to be

                      Yor Lordps most obliged,

                              obedient,

                    and faithfull humble Servant

                                               Fr:     Nicholson

                Your Lordps having been pleased to send me a good Num

               ber of printed Proclamations prohibiting his Majestys Subjects

               betaking them selves to the service of foreign Princes and

               States, were extraordinary usefull and serviceable. So am an

               humble suppliant to yor Lordps that you would be pleased to