Assembly Proceedings, April 30-May 14, 1696. 295

Sent by the Clerk of this Board from the Honble his Maj-
estys Council a message in relation to the Ships now in the
Country drawn up as follows Viz^t

U. H. J.

By the Honble his Majestys Council in Assembly May 2^d 1696

It being moved at the Board that some Reasons might be
Given upon a Proposall yesterday laid before the House
touching the Ships now in the Country inductive to the
addressing his Excellency for suffering the same to be Cleared
do therefore offer the following Reasons to the Consideration
of the House to the End if the House thinks them sufficient
and proper they may joyn with them in the said Address
Signed p order
H Denton Clk Concil.

The reasons follow in these words viz^t
1 That if the Ships get home his Majesty will get his
Customs
2 The Seamen may be Serviceable to his Majesty when
got home
3 The Worm may Endanger their Ships by staying in
the Country besides Provisions are very scarce here
4 That if the Ships should be stopt to go in a Fleet
together there are but two Londoners of any Force and the
rest lye Scattered in other Parts.
5 It is Observed that Ships that summer here do usually
stay till the next Spring by Reason of mens falling sick in the
Country

He Returns and says he delivered the same
Brought from the House of Burgesses by their Clerk the
following answer viz^t

By the House of Burgesses May 2^d 1696.

Upon Perusall of the Message delivered to the House by the
Clerk of the Council relating to the Ships in the Country we
humbly desire the Opinion of the Honble Council if the said
Ships shall be Stopt or cleared and thereupon we should either
Concur therewith or offer such Reasons to the Contrary as
we humbly conceive will be Satisfactory
Signed p Order
W Bladen Clk Assembly.

The which being read was answered as follows

By the honble his Majestys Council in Assembly May 2^d
1696

p. 860