224 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1707.

            Lib. C. B. board It was ordered as it is hereby ordered by his Excy &

                  the whole Boarde Nemine Contradicente, Viz

                                Maryland ss

                    By his Excy the Governr & Councill

               p. 87  Whereas we are Convinced by dayly Experience that her

                  Majestys Subjects of this province Suffer Extreamly by the

                  Corruption Ignorance and Extortion of Severall Attorneys

                  Admitted to practice in the provinciall and County Courts

                  without any Qualification of Honesty Experience or Learning

                  in the Laws which may Entitle them to such practice whereby

                  to the great Scandall of Iustice the Stirring up of Vexatious

                  and Litigious Suites the Multiplying them to the private

                  Lucre and Game only of such Corrupt practitionrs and to the

                  unreasonable Expence of the publick as well as of private

                  persons by senseless and insignificant brawles Repetitions &

                  impertinent Cavills the time of the Courts is Consumed and

                  taken up for the most part in trifles for prevention whereof

                  and to the End tht none be Admitted as practitionrs in any

                  of the said Courts but such as shall have a Competent share

                  of Learning honesty and Experience (the Circumstances of

                  the Country Considered) to recomend them to such practice,

                  Wee have thought fitt for the Generall Good of her Majestys

                  Subjects of this province aud toward a due & orderly Regu

                  lation of her Courts that no person whatsoever shall be

                  Admitted to practice in any of her Majestys Courts within

                  this province as Attorneys Except such as have been for some

                  time members of some of the Inns of Courts or Chancery

               p. 88 of her Majestys Kingdom of England untill they have privi

                  ously undergone an Examination of their Capacitys honesty

                  and good behaviour before us and her Majestys honble

                  Councill or her Majestys Governor & Councill for the time

                  being and a Certificate of such Examination and allowance

                  thereon had under the Councill Seale Attested by the Clarke

                  and of this all her Matys Judges and Justices are to take

                  Notice.

                               Signed p Ordr

                                              W Bladen Cl Concil

                    His Excy Reminds the board that the Guarde kept at An

                  napolis is a Great Charge to the Country and whether it may

                  be fitt to take them off or otherwise Lessen them The Boarde

                  Nemine Contradicente advise that whereas Richard Clarke

                  still Continues in these parts that it will not be Safe to dis

                  miss the Guarde, however they may be Lessened to the

                  Number of tenn the Comander and nine others.