Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 513

      spake Law or not after which in a little time after the said Lib. X.

      Iosephs went out of the Gallery & further Saith not

                                      Robert Quary

      Iur Coram me die et

      An pd

           Robert Smith                          p. 134

        His Excellency is pleased to lay before the Gentlemen pres

      ent the Contemptuous practices of such persons & tells them

      that if they will Suffer themselves to be so abused yet he must

      take Care to prevent it

        Whereupon advised that in reguard the said Mr Joseph's

      seems to be a person disaffected to this his Majesty's Govern

      ment that the oaths appointed by act of Parliament be tendred

      him

        And the said Mr Josephs being brought before the Board in

      the Custody of the Sheriff of Ann Arundel County is asked

      what Occasion he had to make Such Reflections upon the

      Court & the oaths being tentred him he refused to take them

      Saying that it was his opinion that if he took those oaths he

      renounced his God

                    September the 2d 1698

                   The Council again Sate

                           Present

              His Excellency the Captn Ceneral

                Collo Hen Iowles Chancellor

                Thomas Tench Esqr

      the honble     Iames Frisby Esqr

                George Plater Esqrs Atty& Sollr Genl

                Willm Dent

        Then read the petition of the Commsrs of Prince Georges

      County who now lye under presentment for Levying more

      Tobacco in their County then by Law Impowred

        And the said Gentlemen having submitted themselves & p. 135

      praying that a Nolle prosequi might be entred upon the prose

      cution against them

        And his Majestys Lawyers being asked their Advice say his

      Excellency if he pleases may order a Nolle Prosequi to be

      entered & that the Law will oblige the Sheriff & Clark of the

      County to refund the Tobacco so to them allowed

        Ordered a Nolle prosequi to be entered thereon Lieut Collo

      Henry Low high Sher of St Marys County appearing is asked

      if he recd any Criminals from Mr Robert Mason late high

      Sheriff of St Mary's County says he rec'd none

            33