Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 531

        To his Excy Francis Nicholson Esqr Capt genll and Governr Lib. H. D.

      in Chiefe of his Matys Province of Maryland

      The Humble Petition of Philip Clark of St Mary's County

              Most humbly Sheweth unto yor Excy

      That Whereas Iudgemt is passed agt yor Petitionr in the Pro

      vincall Court of this Province for Six Thousand pounds of

      Tobb: and six months Imprisonmt According to An Act of

      Assembly for Speaking Severall Scandalous and Defamatory

      Words agt your Excy And thô your Petitionr must needs own

      that he deserves no favour or Mercy of your Excy haveing

      been forgiven by your Excy And Comitting Again the Same

      Offence aggravated wth the keeping Company with John Cood

      and Gerrard Slye Notorious disturbers of this Governmt for

      all which Offences Your Petitioner Can offer nothing that Can

      induce yor Excy to mercy but that he is fully Satisfied of his

      past Errors and heartily Sorry for the Same humbly praying

      Yor Excys pdon and forgiveness And that your Excy would be

      pleased to Extend your accustomed favours and goodness to

      your Petitionr And as in Duty bound shall Ever pray for your

      Excys long and happy Governmt under his most Sacred Maty.

                                      Philip Clarke

      Maryland ss

        We his Matys Iustices of the Prov Court whose names are

      hereto Subscribed do find that there have been many dis

      turbances and Comotions raised within this Governmt by Mr

      John Cood Senr late of St Marys County And we are Oblieged

      to declare our Sentimts thereupon that if his Excy Sr Edmund

      Andros Kt his Matys Livet & Govr Genll of Virginia had taken

      due Care upon the Severall Applications to him made from

      this Governmt to have had the sd Mr Cood Apprhended &

      Secured and delivered up to Justice in this Province the Same

      had not happened but the defect therein is the Occasion of

      these disturbances and Commotions being raised and Sett on

      foot by the sd Cood and Severall other psons who bragg of

      theire Security in the Collony of Virginia

                  Robert Smith Thomas Staly

                  Richd Hill  John Thompson

                  Thomas Tasker     John Hammond Iust

                  John Pollard John Hawkins

                  James Keech

      Maryland ss

        Att a Provinciall Court held at the Porte of Annapolis the

      Second day of Sept 1698