478 Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 16-Oct. 2, 1696.

L. H. J.

Saturday Sep^t the 19^th 1696.

House met, And adjourned till 6 of the Clock on Munday
Morning

Monday Sept^r 21, 1696.

House mett. Message from his Ex^cy by the hon^ble Colonel
Robotham and Colonel Addison.

Sept 18^th 1696

The Gent^m Professing the law (now in Town) being sum-
moned to appear at this board do pursuant to order come
up viz:
M^r Cheseldyn, M^r Soll^r Gen^ll M^r Clarke, M^r Watkins, M^r
Boothby M^r Hemsley. To whom his Ex^cy was pleased to say
that the occasion of his sending for them at this tyme was,
that he understood there was a person made choice of to be a
member in the house of Burgesses that was ordayned a priest,
and therefore demanded their opinion whether he could be
admitted to sitt as a member of the house of Burgesses, tell-
ing them of an Example of England in that case and another
of this Province that have denyed Clergymen that priviledge,
and the Question is further put, whether a priest can dispriest
himselfe

p. 108

The said Questions being seperately answered by the said
Gentⁿ are all of opinion that no person in holy orders is quali-
fied by law to sitt in the house of comons, and so by conse-
quence, not in the house of Burgesses here, and that it is an
indelible Character Stamped on them which be taken off but
by the ordinary or power by which it was conferred
Henry Denton Clk Councill

Put to the Question whether it shall be asked Col. Cood if
he be in holy Orders, carryed by Majority of voices in the
Affirmative
And thereupon the Question being asked Col. Cood he
replyes if ev disabled himselfe, by accepting and

Military Comission.
Ordered that the Comittee of Elections and priviledges go
and make their Reporte d Col. Cood qualified to
sitt as a member of this house, with power to examine per-
sons &c.
Comittee of Elections and priviledges enter the house, and
present the following Reporte in relation to Col. Cood being
qualifyed to sitt as a member of this house.