Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1684-89. 421

how to free him from Slavery but by his Maj^ties gracious assist-
ance And praying that the said Eaton may be summoned to
answer the Premisses at this Board
As in the Petition if more at large Exprest His Maj^te in
Councill is graciously pleased to Referr this Complaint to the
R^t Hono^ble the Lords of the Committee For Trade & Forrein
Plantation who are to have a Copie of the Petition and to
Cause the Persons therein named to be sent for And having
examined the whole matter to Report to this Board how they
finde the same together with their Lo^ps opinion thereupon
Francis Guyn.

To the Kings most Excellent Majestie
The humble Petition of Audrey wife of
Capt Richard Beale one of y^r Maj^tes Brigandiers.

Sheweth
That William Godwin, of the age of 16 years yo^r Pet^rs brother
Designing to learne the Art of Navigation Did about 2 years
& half ago Contract with Capt Ioseph Eaton Mariner to go
with him upon a voyage to Mariland with an intention after-
wards to Serve the said Eaton as his apprentice for a time if
he liked that voyage, w^ch was consented unto & agreed between
them; and the voyage being made, the said Captain Eaton
after his arrivall in Mariland and the Ship under saile for Eng-
land did send his boat From a Shore to fetch the said William
Godwin to him to one Captain Slyes house in Maryland, and
immediately made sale of him as a Slave to one Thomas
Gerard Inhabitant of that place as can be testified by one Peter
Harris a Servant to Captain Sly of London merchant, now in
the Custody of the Pryor of Bridewell in Tuttle fields for offer-
ing to attest the same.
Now forasmuch as yo^r pet^re brother is kept there in Slavery
Contrary to the Constitutions of y^r Majte Government and in
breach of Faith and trust reposed in the said Eaton and that
yo^r pet^r knows no way to Free him from thence but by yo^r
maj^te gracious favor and assistance The said William Goodwin
being S^r William Boremans Nephew.
Yo^r Pet^r therefore most humbly Implores yo^r Sacred Maj^te
to Comand the said Eaton to come before yo^r maj^te to answer
the premisses, and also the Keeper of Bridewell to bring the
said Peter Harry before that yo^r Maj^te will be graciously
pleased Governor of Mariland to send over yo^r
brother and that the said Eaton may bear the charge thereof
and further abide yo^r Maj^te pleasure therein
And yo^r Pet^r shall in duty bound ever pray
A true copy
Frances Guyn.

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.