Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681-85. 307

not I pray Communicate this to M^r Ridgely whose business
mentioned in the little letter which was inclosed in yours I am
in great hopes and faire way to Effect to his Content I thank
God I have found divers great friends beyond my hopes or
Imagination and though I am rendered by my Lord Baltemore
as black as the devill yet will not his Callumnys take place
according to his desires and unworthy Clandestine dealeing but
the practice and proceeding here which I wonder his Lordspp
should be Ignorant of is quite another way all open faire and
Cleare which hath sufficiently unriddled his Lordspp profound
Intrigues against mee. I confess it hath cost me much money
and will cost more but I would not for twice soe much have
continued in ignorance of what I now know or have wanted
the interest I have now gained.
S^r As to Publick news there hath been great Expectation of
the Tryall of my Lord Shaftsbury who was Indicted for Treason
upon a parcell of Lousy Irish Evidence but the grand Iury
Consisting of most Eminent Cittycants would not give Credit
to the witnesses but brought the Bill in Ignoramus This hath
quite altered the Comon talk and Crye in the towne A parl
is Expected very shortly Strict Charge is given by his Majestie
to the Iustices Concerning the Laws and Proclamations against
Papists Tobacco is most damnable Low both here and in
holland M^r Ridgely had 12 hhds which I kept for the better
but it proved for the worst Markett and would Even hardly
Cleare itselfe
S^r If there be anything wherein I can serve you here you
may be assured that No man Liveing shall be more Ready and
Reall then
S^r your most affectionate friend
and most humble Servant
Chr Rousby

My very humble Service to yo^r Lady and
to all good friends, I pray desire M^r Howard
to procure and Send mee if possible a Cock and
an henn of jhe wild Turky breed and gett some
master of a shipp to take Charge of them what
ever he shall be out of purse I will willingly Repay
and take it as a very great kindness

To the Hono^ble Coll William Steevens
at his house at Pocomoke In
Maryland
p Capt Thomas Smith
Q. D: C:

A Coppy of a Letter from Christopher Rousby to Coll W^m

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.