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

P. R. O.

Domestic
Interregnum.
Vol. 103,
pp. 21, 22, 27,

28

Orders of the Councell of State.
Thursday 29^th December 1653.

On reading the petition of Colonell Samuel Mathews Agent
for Virginia directed to the Lord Protector. It is ordered and
declared in Councell by his Highnes that a Letter be prepared
to the Governor and Generall Assembly of that Colony, to en-
courage them and to establish the present Governor till further
order. And that the other part of the said petition be referred
to M^r Strickland and S^r An: A: Cooper who calling to them
M^r Winslow Coll: Mathews and such others acquainted with
the affaires of that plantation as they shall thinke fitt, are to
consider how the same may for the future be setled to its ad-
vantage, benefitt and security, and to the service of this Com-
monwealth, as alsoe how the questions betwixt the Lord Balti-
more and the people of Virginia, concerning the Bounds
claymed by them respectively may with most Justice and equity
be determined to which purpose they are to send for all papers
referring therunto which were in the hands of the late Com-
mittee of the Navy or of any other and thereupon to state the
whole matter, and report the same to his Highness.

Saturday 31^th December 1653 afternoone.

A Letter prepared for the Governor and Generall Assembly
of Virginia was now read and approved of.

To the Governor and Generall Assembly of
the English Plantation of Virginia.
Gentlemen,
Colonell Mathews the Agent for Virginia, hath diligently
attended the dispatch of some businesses referring to the peace
and setlement of that Colony, The perfecting whereof hath
been obstructed by the many publique affaires here depending.
And now it haveing pleased God (who is the great disposer of
all humane occurrencies) in his great wisdome, and according
to the Councell of his owne will, to alter the Government of
this Commonwealth, by entrusting the same unto a Lord Pro-
tector and successive Trienniall Parlaments. And Oliver
Cromwell Captayne Generall of all the forces of this Common-
wealth, being declared the present Lord Protector thereof (as
you may perceive by the platforme of Government herewith
sent you, and the proclamation thereunto annexed, which you
are forthwith after receipt hereof, to cause to be published)
address hath been made unto his Highnes by Colonell Mathews
petition, for the determining of these matters, which have so
long depended Whereupon his Highnes hath been pleased, to
put into an effectuall way the speedy resolution of these ques-