172 Assembly Proceedings, October 6-November 4, 1724.

L. H. J.

However our House having consulted M^r Attorney Generall
upon that part of the Oath relating to the King's Letters, who
gave it as his opinion that the inserting that Clause of the
Letters in the Oath can be no prejudice to the Charter of
this province, We are therefore willing to Concurr with you
in that particular notwithstanding our former precaution
therein.
Gentlemen. We are very sensible of the Great Charge
which this Sessions will bring upon the Country and are
therefore willing to bring the busieness to as Speedy a Con-
clusion as possible without giving any Just Cause to our
Country of laying any ill Steps at our Door, and as a Con-
vincing Evidence thereof, We have prepar'd such a Draught
of an Oath as will in our opinion prove most agreeable to the
office of a Judge as well as the Security of our Constitution,
which we are as Desirous of preserving as it is possible for
any of your House to be We do not Condemn your Vigilancy
in that point but we think it very hard that you should do
us the injustice of Suspecting us either as an Upper House
or as his L^pps Council of State to be Enemies to it; We there-
fore propose the Draught of the Oath herewith sent you to be
taken by all the Judges of the Courts of Law.
Sign'd p order Sam^ll Skippon Cl Up. Ho.

I A. B. do Swear that as a Justice of the Court in
in Maryland in all Articles of his L^pps Commission
to me directed I will do equall Law & Right to all the Kings
Subjects Rich and poor according to the reasonable Laws
Statutes & Customs of England and the Acts of Assembly
and usages of the province of Maryland I will not delay any
person of Comon Right for the Letters of the King or the
Lord Prop^ry or of any other person whatsoever nor for any

p. 184

other Cause, and in Case any Letters shall come to me Con-
trary to Law I will do nothing by them, but Cause them to
be Entred upon Record and Certify the King, the Lord Prop^ry
or the Governour for the time being of them, and will proceed
to Execute the Law notwithstanding the same Letters, I
will hold the Courts according to the Acts of Assembly and the
Directions in my Commission; I will do and procure the
profits of the Lord Propry in all things, where I may Law-
fully & reasonably do the same; I will not Debarr nor hinder
the prosecution of Justice; nor take any Gift Bribe or ffee
for delaying or hindring Judgment, But will behave myself
Justly honestly & faithfully to the best of my knowledge &
understanding so long as I shall continue in the said office.
So help me God.