Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1684-89. 430

topher Rousby his Brother nor myself this nor last Year which
I now mention, that in Case your Honors have sent or writt
anything to either of us your Honors may know the occasion of
such miscarriage. I do most humbly request and implore the
favour of a few Lines by the first Opportunity that I may know
His Majesties Royal Pleasure for reducing the disorders and
remedy of the smarting grievances of His Loyall Subjects
trading to and living in this Province, the Redress whereof
will be welcome Tydings and will particularly rejoice
Your most humble
faithfull obedient Serv^t
Nich: Blackiston.
Maryland, 20^th Aprill 1685.

M^r Blackiston's Letter of Complaint
against L^d Baltemore's Officers.
Presented by the Com^rs
of the Customes.
Read in Councill 10^th July 1685.

The Lord Baltemore's Answer to the Complaints of
M^r Nehemiah Blakiston menconed in His Letter to the
Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs dated the
20^th of April 1685.

It plainly appeareth by a Letter from the Gover^r of Virginia
to the Deputies of Mary Land, that the Escape made by George
Talbott out of Prison, was occasioned by the corruption of the
Guard, and not procured by any Persons of Maryland as is
falsely suggested in the Letter of the said Blackiston, and that
as soon as the Governor of Virginia had given notice to the
Deputies of Mary Land of the said Talbott's escape, special
care was taken immediately by them for his Apprehension as
appears by the hue and cry sent out into all parts of the Prov-
ince besides what other ways, and means could be used for the
speedy beginning of the said Talbott, who never was publickly
seen at his own plantacon (though the contrary is affirmed by
the said Blackiston, but always kept himself out in the Moun-
tains to the Norward, until at last he resolved to surrender
himself to the Deputies of Maryland where now he is under a
strong Guard to be disposed of as His Majesty shall think fitt.
His Lordshipp is very confident M^r Blackiston has no just
cause to complain of his being discountenanced in the Execu-
tion of his Place for that he very well knows his Officers dare
not presume to offer any contempt nor show the least dis-
respect either to his Person or Commission nor would they
presume to disuade Masters of Vessels from presenting them-
selves and their Certificates to His Majesty's Officers, his Lord-

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.