Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1648-1655. 265

[26 Sept. 1651.]

Whereas the Parliament of England by an act intituled an
act prohibiting Trade with the Barbadoes, Virginia Bermudas
and Antego hath committed to this Councell severall powers
therein expressed for the setling reduceing and governing the
said Islands printed Copies of which Acts are herewith deliv-
ered unto you. In pursuance whereof a fleet is now set forth
victualled Armed and Manned under the command and con-
duct of Capt. Robert Denis to effect by the blessing of God
the ends aforesaid and for the management of that service you
are joyntly nominated and appointed Commissioners And for
your better directions and proceeding therein you are to follow
and pursue these Instructions following.
Such of you as are here are to repaire on board the Ship
John or the Guynie Frigott of the States, which of them you
shall thinke fitt and wind and weather permitting to sayle to
Virginia as Capt: Robert Denis shall direct and appoint.
And upon your arrivall at Virginia you or any two or more
of you (whereof Capt. Rob^t Denis to be one) shall use your
best endeavours to reduce all the plantations within the Bay of
Chesopiack to their due obedience to the Parliament of the
Commonwealth of England.
For which purpose you or any two or more of you whereof
Captaine Robert Dennis to be one, have hereby power to
assure pardon and Indemnity to all the Inhabitants of the said
plantations that shall submitt unto the present Government
and Authority as itt is established in this Commonwealth. In
which pardons you may make such limitations and exceptions
as you or any two or more of you whereof Capt: Robert Dennis
to be one shall thinke fitt.
And in case they shall not submitt by fayre wayes and
meanes you are to use all Acts of Hostillity that lyes in your
power to enforce them. And if you shall find the people soe
to stand out as that you can by noe other wayes or meanes
reduce them to their due obedience you or any two or more
of you (whereof Capt: Rob^t Dennis to bee one) have power to
appoint Captains and other Officers &c to raise forces within
every of the plantations aforesaid for the furtherance and good
of the service; And such persons as shall come in unto you
and serve as soldiers if their Masters shall stand in opposi-
tion to the present government of this Commonwealth you or
any two or more of you whereof Capt: Rob^t Dennis to bee one,
have hereby power to discharge and set free from their Mas-
ters all such persons soe serving as soldiers.
You shall cause and see all the severall Acts of Parliam^t
against Kingship and the House of Lords to bee received and

Domestic
Interregnum.
Vol. 50.