388 Assembly Proceedings, Oct. 25-Nov. 10, 1709.

U. H. J.

By the House of Delegates. Novemb 2^d 1709

It having been reported to and adjudged by this House,
That it is an Aggrievance to the Province that for some years
past the Custody of the Great Seal has been in the Hands of
the Governour who by Virtue thereof Sits as Chancellour or
Judge in the High Court of Chancery and that upon any Ap-
peal or upon a Bill of Review before the High Court of
Appeals the same Person is their Chief Judge also which is
but appealing from the Judgem^t of a person in one Court to
the Judgem^t of the same in another & very rarely any other
Judgem^t rendered than at first

p. 627

Therefore this House humbly desire the honble Council to
join with them in an Address to her Ma:ty that the Custody
of the great Seal may no longer be in the Hands of the Gov-
ernour But in the hands of such other Person as her Majesty
or the Governour and Council here shall appoint
Also It is reported to and resolved by this House as an
Aggrievance that one and the same persons are Justices in
the Provincial Court and in the County Courts.
Also It is reported by this House as an Aggrievance that
one and the same persons are Justices in the provincial Court
& in the County Courts
Also It is reported by this House as an Aggrieveance that
several places of profitt within this Province are in the Hand
of one Person. Which offices would be better officiated and
Business better done & sooner dispatched if the places were
in the Hands of several Persons and be Sufficient to maintain
them besides It is great Discouragem^t to the several Inhab-
itants of this Province who are well qualifyed for such places
that Persons less deserving and not qualifyed according to
Law hold places of Profitt and many Time one person several
offices
Also it is reported to and resolved by the House as an Ag-
grievance that there are two Separate Commissions to the
County Court and that the Charge of the Commissions being
so often renewed is a Greater Burthen to the Countys than it
was formerly when there was but one Commission and all the
Justices Sate as Judges upon the Bench

p. 628

Also It is reported to and resolved by the House as an Ag-
grievance that places of Trust and Profitt especially the Sheriffs
office have been of late sold to such persons as would give
most mony for them or Tob^{o
whereby several Persons have
been commissionated that are very uncapable and not quali-
fyed and of too mean Capacity and Estates to execute & per-
form their Dutys and Office and the Inhabitants much thereby
aggrieved and oppressed and very Slender security given for}