Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681-85. 365

time he was aboard the S^t George, he told me about three or
four daies after Sheppard's arrivall in Wiccocomico river I then
demanded why he expected not the penny p pound from him
as well as Tarleton and Dennet since Sheppard had as my
Collector informed me the like Certificate with the other two,
to this he coldly replied that Sheppard ought to pay the duty
also but said I M^r Badcock I observe you have not bin v/ith me
about the S^t George yett tho' that Vessell hath been nere a
month in the Province and had not my Collector told you in
my hearing now that Sheppard had the same Certificate with
Dennet & Tarleton I question much whether ever you would
have bin soe carefull to demand His Majestie's duties of
that ship as now you are of these smaller Vessels whose
masters you are often more buisy with then with the Com-
manders of the greater ships, these expressions of mine put the
Gentleman into some heat and many people then in my yard
wonder'd what person it was that discourst so loud with me I
then desired to reason the case calmly with the said Badcock
and demanded of him whether he thought these Certificates
good and the bonds legally taken at London, Poole and
Liverpoole, he answered yes, they were he judged I then
askt him whether the Act was not expired which had
for some yeares left out Ireland he said it was I then desired
to know of him whether the Act of Navigation was not
in its full force againe to which he answered me it was
but said he notwithstanding that the penny p pound must
be paid here where Certificates are produced for goeing
for England or Ireland and this by the Act of the 25^th of this
King entituled an Act for the better secureing of the Plantation
trade I thereupon demanded a sight of that Act but he told
me he had it not then with him I askt whether he had any in-
structions from the Comm^rs in that matter in regard he was
soe positive and high in his carriage to which he made me noe
direct answer but told me he knew what he had to doe and he
was certaine he was in the right I then desired him to meet me
the next day at S^t Maries that I might have the Chancellor's
advice and accordingly we mett where alsoe happened to be the
Secretary and afore them I & M^r Badcock repeated all that I
have here related and the Chancellor thought me in the right
he not having a sight of that act of the 25^th of His Majestie's
reign which the said Badcock said was at Colonel William
Steevens at the easterne shoare where he often resided nor
the perusal of any Instructions from the Comm^rs of the Cus-
tomes which had the said Badcock or rousby the Collector ever
permitted me a sight of I had never refused assisting the the said
Badcock in that which he complained to the Comm^rs against
me and whereas the said Badcock informed the Comnf that I

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.