Ordered That Captain Roger Smith do wait on Hugh Rutledge and Joshua Ward Esqufres to acquaint the former of his having been elected Judge of the Admiralty and the latter of his being chosen an Assistant Judge and to inquire of them respectively if they are willing to qualify for those Offices Captain Roger Smith reported That he had according to Order waited on Mr Hugh Rutledge and Mr Joshua Ward with the Message he had in Charge And that Mr Rutledge declared his Willingness to qualify for the Office to which he had been chosen but Mr Ward said it would be inconvenient for him to accept the Place for an Assistant Judge and therefore he declined tqat Honour Ordered That the Bill for the more effectual Prevention of the Desertion of the Soldiers or Sailors in the Service of this Colony and for the Punishment of those who shall harbour or conceal them be carried to the Legislative Council by Mr William Skirving and Mr [Isaac] MacPherson Mr Skirving reported That he and Mr MacPherson had according to Order delivered the Bill they had in Charge to the Legislative Council