in the Years 1691-92. 259

and gave it to M^r Iohn Knellin of the Convention the house
being off he read the same and told me that they were accused
for the death of M^r Iohn Payne the K.'s Collector and nott
Cap I: P: as in the Petition was mentioned upon that I
struck out Cap^t and put in (M^r) then he told me M^r Carroll
was Improper to be of councell being a Prisoner at abington
for high misdemeanors soe his name was struck out that M^r
Dent was under the same or as great circumstances and was
sent for butt as for M^r Thomson and myselfe he knew nothing
butt wee might be admitted as in the Peti: desired of w^ch Pet: I
should have answer on the morow that evening I mett M^r
Blackeston the Speaker and told him of the Petⁿ lodged w^th
theire & gave him acc^d of the substance of it who told
me the prisoners should have all the faire Dealeing Imagin-
able for theire lives or to that Effect & next morning I should
have answer the Pet: Thus fairly and openly I acted for these
pris^ers Intending to search for Records & gett Coppyes of what
necessary and take out spas: next day I went haveing my
Papers about me M^r Knellin brings me the order w^ch was that
Tuesday the 21: was the day appointed for tryall and that they
might have what yet they pleased butt Councill for them none
could be admitted I went to carry them this order and short
Tyme they had to prepare themselves butt goeing in to the
guard room I was there Imediatly seized upon my Private
noates and the Prisoners papers and other my present concerns
taken from me and I detayned in Coustody att the Country
house without knowing my cause till Munday morning I Rec^d
a Coppy of my Committmt. for mutenous Rebellious Treason-
able Practices and Endeav^rs by me used to Disturbe theire

Maj^ts peace and the peace of the Province and was to be in

Coustody till the s^d 21: day being the prov^ll Co^tt then to
appeare and answer and on Munday I was Removed to
another house and kept close Pris^r and thence removed to the
horse guards att Lynes and there kept by the sherriff till fry-
day after sentence past and then I was admitted to Bayle to
appeare next Court being the first thursday In Iully next
M^r Carroll being at M^r Abingtons was the Sunday before
removed up to Notley Hall and since the Court admitted to
Bayle allsoe M^r Geo Thomson haveing d.d. a paper to some
of the members by way of contrary advice how they proceeded
upon that authority soe the Tryall of the Prisoners was
Comm^ted to Custody for a seditious and Treasonable Pamph-
lett butt after admitted to Bayle M^r Dent allsoe Bayled out
butt in open court told he must nott plead there till he had
cleared himselfe of the accusation ag^t him soe all the Councell
Prayed by the Prisoners was thus taken of and they left to
defend themselves deprived allsoe of theire Papers as afores^d

P. R. O.

Maryland
B. I. Vol. 2,
B. F.