244 Assembly Proceedings, Nov. 29-Dec. 15, 1708.

U. H. J.

By the Council in Assembly Dec^r 9th 1708

Gentlemen. In answer to your message by M^r Mariartee
M^r Tyler M^r Covington and Cap^t Crabb we give you to under-
stand that his Excefi the Governour and this Board sometime
since apprehending the Country very desirous to have County
Courts Jurisdiction of personal Actions inlarged had Con-
sidered thereof and resolved to issue new Commissions to the
Several County Courts for that purpose. And further we have
often thought that the six Courts in one year are too many and
that four are Sufficient, therefore desire you will consider of
the Times for holding the said County Courts and prepare a
Bill therefore which will be a great Ease to the County Levys,
many Courts being adjourned by the Justices on account they
suppose they shall have Courts enough to finish their Business
in before the loth day of May appointed for Stay of Executions
Signed p Order W Bladen Cl Coun.

p. 582

Sent by Col Holland Col Coursey & M^r Lynes
M^r Robins & M^r Pierce bring from the House the Bill for
settling the rates of foreign Coins
A Proposed Ordinance Impowering the Justices of the
County Courts to Grant Ordinary Licences. And.
A Bill for confirming Land to M^r John Hyde & Cap^t John
Gandy's Heir read in the House the first & second Times.
The Bill for settling the rates of foreign Coines read the
second Time & Passed for Engrossing
The proposed Ordinance impowering the Justices of the
County Courts to grant Licences for ordinarys read and
assented to by this Board
The Bill for Confirming Land to M^r John Hyde &c read
at the Board the first and second Times & sent to the House
by M^r Young & M^r Lynes
M^r Tyler and five more bring up the Bill directing the
manner of summoning and Electing Delegates and the fol-
lowing Message Viz.

By the House of Delegates Dec^r 9th 1708.

This House will give directions that a Bill be brought in to
reduce the County Courts to four in a year Viz. March June
August & November to which they desire the Concurrence of
the honble Council & that the Act commence next March
Signed p Order R Dallam Cl Ho Del.

Which being read at the Board was assented to by her
Majesty's honble Council