Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 519

                    September the 4th 1698    Lib. X.

                      The Council Sate

                           Present

              His Excellency the Capt Genl &Ca

              Collo Henry Iowles Chancellor

             Thomas Tench & Ias Frisby Esqrs

             Robt Smith, Richard Hill,   •

                                    Iustices of the Provl

        the Thomas Tasker, Ino Pollard,

      honble  Iohn Thompson & Ias Keech Court

              Geo Plater Esqr Atty Genl

       Wm Dent Sollic for Genl

                               of his Majestys Council at

             Robert Gouldsborrough

                                  Law

        His Excellency tells the Gentlemen that the reason he has

      now sent for them is for that he hath recd a Petition from Mr

      Gerrard Sly which is read as followeth vizt

        To His Excellency Francis Nicholson Esqr Captain General

      & Governor in Chief in & over this his Majesty's Province

      And Territory of Maryld

             The humble petition of Gerrard Sly

      Sheweth

        That he looks upon it as one of the greatest Misfortunes of

      his life to be brought under the Circumstances he at present

      lyes under in as much as thereby he is found guilty of abusing

      & reviling a person not only dignified with the Character

      which your Excllcy bears in this Province under his Sacred p. 138

      Majesty but likewise a person whose care prudence diligence

      & Circumspection has brought the frame of this Government

      to Such a perfection and promoted acts of Justice & piety to

      that degree that may Justly deserve the affections & prayers

      of your Excellencys long Continuance in the Government of

      all persons well affected to their King & Country

        And as your Excellencys humble Petitioner from the Bottom

      of his heart is sorry not only for his said Misfortunes but also

      for the Offence given your Exccy So he Sincerely promise

      never again to give the least Occasion either by Keeping

      Company with any disaffected person or persons to your

      Excellency or otherwise of his falling under your Excel

      lencys displeasure & this as he is a Christian does declare

      that none of his Actions were ever thought or Intended to stir

      any manner of Comotion in your Excellencys Govt & hope this

      being his first Crime against your Excellency that you will

      be so favourable to extend your Clemency so far towards him