52 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1698/9.

          Lib. X.  Several Gentlemen present vizt Captain Richd Hill One of

                   his Majestys Iustices of the Provincial Court Majr William

                   Dent his Majestys Atty General Mr Samuel Young one of the

                   Masters in Chancery Mr Christopher Gregory Clk of the

                   Provincial Court Peter Jennings Esqr his Majestys Collector

                   of the district of Puttuxent Geo Plater Esqr Receiver &

                   Naval Officer of the said District Mr Edward Batson Register

                   of the Perogative Court & Naval Officer of this port of

                   Annapolis Mr Richd Beard high Sheriff & Mr Orlando Green

                   slade Coroner of Ann Arundel County all took the Oaths

                   appointed by Act of Parliament instead of the Oaths of

                   Allegiance & Supremacy & Subscribed the Test & Association

          p. 205   Tuesday January the 3d 1698/9

                   The Council Sate present as Yesterday

                    His Excellency Francis Nicholson Esqr late Govr of this

                   Province & now his Majestys Lieut & Govr Genl of the Colony

                   of Virginia being present his Excellency is pleased to desire

                   his advice at the Board

                    And it coming under consideration whether it may not be

                   for his Majestys Service that the present Assembly now on

                   foot should not be dissolved his Excellency desiring the advice

                   of the Council they do say that they do not think it will be

                   for his Majestys Service that the said Assembly should be

                   dissolved for that several Laws imposing Duties for the

                   Support of this his Majstys Govt would Determine thereby

                    His Excellency observing that the said Assembly stands

                   prorogued until the 28th Day of Iune next is thereupon

                   pleased to communicate to the Board one of his most Sacred

                   Majestys Royal Instructions to him whereby he is required

                   to convene the General Assembly with all Convenient speed

                   after his arrival here & requires them to give him their

                   opinions whether the said Assembly may be sooner Conveened

                   notwithstanding their being so prorogued

                    To which the Gentlemen of the Council do Severally say

                   that they do not think the Assembly can be sooner conveened

                   for that they do not know or ever heard of any such Presi

                   dent therefore

           p. 206  His Excellency is pleased to say that he will Always go

                   along with the Gentlemen of the Council & be glad upon all

                   Occasions to take their advice for his Majestys Service, for

                   that he is made Sensible of their Loyal Affections to his

                   Majsty & their Knowledge & experience in the Affairs of this

                   Province