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

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.

the Duke of York; and that the cutters of Tobacco have de-
stroyed all in Middlesex, Gloucester and new Kent County's,
and that by a computation made by some chiefe men on the
south side of Potomack river, there has bin as much cut up by
this rabble as would have amounted to six or seven thousand
hogsheads: some will have it tenn thousand. This is gen-
erally what is given out by the Virginians on Potomack river.
I presume, Sir, herewith to send you a relation of that dispute
& difference I had with M^r Nicholas Badcock, as also from
under the Chancellors and the Clerke here of the Councill
their hands, that the said Badcock was never called afore my
Councill about that difference with me which he affirmed he
was (as it appears by His Sacred Majesty's letter of the 8^th day
of February 1681/2.) I also send a true Copy of a letter from
M^r Christopher rousby to one of my Councill Colonel William
Steevens dated the 14^th of December. Likewise an extract of
another from rousby to M^r robert ridgley of the 6^th of De-
cember, the whole letter being two sheetes of paper close writt,
soe that I would not trouble you with a Copy of the whole;
by the latter part of which he seems to resolve to follow his
old practise, of taking an easy penny, as he tearmes it, by
which means his Majesty must be damnified in his Customes,
for if rousby did not compound with Masters, all the To-
bacco exported hence would certainly be carried directly for
England, and this I am certaine of—I humbly beg that when
His Majesty's Collector shall come, he may be commanded to
give me Coppy of his Instructions, and of all orders from time
to time which may any wayes relate to His Majesty's interest
and service, and then I shall not doubt but to approve myselfe
a faithfull observer of all comands as well as a dutifull subject
to my king, and now I will crave leave to assure you that
I am
Sir,
Your most faithfull obedient
& most humble servant
C. Baltemore
I beg you will please
to present my humble Petition
to His most sacred Majesty.

(Endorsed)
Maryland. May. 82.
Lord Baltemore

For the right hon^ble Sir Lionel Jenkins; one of His Majes-
ty's principal Secretary's of State
humbly present
att
White Hall.