386 Assembly Proceedings, July 1-10, 1696.

U. H. J.

Gouldesborrough and M^r Clark M^r Attorney and M^r Solicitor
General being not yet come to Town.
They are acquainted that their Advice is required in a Case
concerning an Indian and English Woman now in Custody
upon Suspition of murther what proper methods were best to
be taken for trying the said Persons who (after some debate
thereupon had) do say that the most proper best method will
be for a Special Commission of Oyer and Terminer to issue
for the said end and purpose to terminate by a Certain pre-
fixed day and that summons issue for a Grand and Petty Jury
to be called &c according to the usual Custom and practice of
the Provincial Court Ordered thereupon as it is hereby Ordered
that Special Commission issue out of the Secretarys Office for
trial of the said Indian and English Woman Constituting and
Appointing the said Gentlemen (that are now in the Commis-
sion of the Provincial court to be Justices and Commissioners
for the said end and purpose and that the Clerk of the pro-
vincial Court be also therein constituted Clerk for the said
special court and that the said Court by virtue of the said
commission do meet and sit at the Port of Annapolis on Mon-
day next by nine of the Clock in the morning and terminate
the Wednesday after at the farthest and that the Venire for
the Grand and Petty Jury do immediately issue out of the
Provincial Office for their appearing &c on the said monday
at the time and Place prefixed that the Court may then pro-
ceed to trial

Saturday July the 4^th 1696 The Council again sate & were
Present as before

Proposed that an Ordinance pass for to Oblige the Justices
of the several County courts to sit in court twelve Hours in
Summer and Eight in Winter every day otherwise to be. paid
Accordingly and that the Clerk keep an Exact Account of their
complying therewith and of what Justices are present or Absent
and that they dont adjourn unless upon extraordinary Occa-
sion

p. 893

The said Proposall came answered as follows viz^t

By the House of Burgesses July 3^d 1696

This House are of Opinion that the Commissioners of
the several County Courts are by their oaths sufficiently obliged
to do their duties and dispatch Business without such
restrictions especially considering the said commissioners have
power to fine their Brethren omitting their duties
Signed p Order W Bladen Clk Assembly