302 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681-85.

P. R. O.

Colonial
Entry Book,
No. 52.

pleased to referr the matters alleadged against the within
named Christopher Rousby to the Commissioners of the Cus-
tomes, who are to examine the same and make report thereof,

together with their opinion thereupon to their Lords^ps
Hen: Guy.

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.

An Extract of a Letter of the 6^th of December 1681 from
M^r Christopher Rousby To Robt Ridgley.

Wee have letters from Virginia that signifie some kind of
Disturbance in Maryland as if his Lord^p and Assembly Could
not agree, and that there are more persons Imprisoned besides
Cood and Fendall and they still in durance, and that his Lospp
Keeps forces in Armes and the Common people in great dread
and fear, these letters are dated about the 12^th or 14^th of Sep-
tember and came by a Liverpoole man out of Potomack. I
wish I had had one of that date from you which would have
been my great satisfaction, (there is great News lately A Grand
Iury of great Eminency for Estates and Judgment was sworne
to goe Upon the Indictment of my Lord Shaftesbury who was
then in the tower The witnesses were Turberuile Smith Booth
Haines Baines and a Crew of Irish Blades they all swore like
Stout Sinners But the Quality of the Persons Improbability of
the Testimony of some Condradiction of others and the certaine
knowledge of some of the Iurors that a paper found amongst
Shaftesbury writings touching an Association (upon which
great Stresse was putt) was a thing don in Parliament tyme,
and Concerning which, Some motions had been made in the
house of Commons (which if it had been a Contrivance don
out of Parliament time might have amounted to Treason) I say
upon the whole matter the Iury Brought in the Bill Ignoramus
The last day of the Tearme which was this Day Seavennight.
The Earle of Shaftsbury My Lord Howard of Escrick one M^r
Wilmore M^r Wilson and another all Comitted for Treason were
Upon theire habeas corpus Admitted to Bayle and Suffered to
goe at Large.
I have spoken here with Severall Masters who conclude that
the paying an Easy penny in Maryland is much more for theire
profitt then paying of a halfe penny in England with the
Demeurage of unloading and loading the ship. Good friend
forgive me the trouble of this teadious scribbled Letter I know
not whether I may have opportunity to write to you againe
before the Arrivall of the first Shipps from Maryland by whom
I hope I shall heare Good News from you which is the Earnest
desire of
Chr Rousby

An Extract of a Letter from Rousby to Ridgley
Maryland 6 December 81.