358 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1692-1694.

P. R. O.

Maryland

B. I. Vol. 2,
B. F.

Propositions humbly offered to
His Majesty

First. Pensilvania is at present much unsetled and in dis-
order I have sent a Gent, there privately to feel the pulses of
the inhabitants thereof who are numerous and generally
inclined and indeed uneasy till they are under their Maj^ties care
and protection. It will be convenient to take some speedy
care in that affair it is so adjoyned to this Province that it
encourages false Traders here for Tobaccoe from Scotland
and Holland and other places to the loss and prejudice of their
Maj^ties customes, beside the Jacobite party (whereof Penn is
notoriously known to be the head) will endeavor to involve
that Country in troubles which will have some effect on this
part of America Moste people in these parts think itt will be
much for His Maj^ties service to anex that Country to this
Province, the two present Governors and others being very
desirous of itt.
2^d To avoyd false Traders it will be convenient that all
Masters of Shipps trading from England hither give Bonds in
their several persons before they come out to pay all dutyes
and customes and to bring certificates hither of their having
given Bonds, and to give a Bond here to carry my receipts of
their respective Certificates to the respective Portes, the mis-
chief of their giving Bonds here often happens to be thus,
the Masters can give no other surety than two Planters who
generally prove to be insolvent when there is occasion to sue
their Bonds and false certificates are often produced here by
false Traders All which I hope may be prevented by following
the methods proposed.
This Province having many very large and navigable Rivers
in it, and at great distance from one another many ships goe
out singly, and many false Traders from Scotland and Holland
and interlopers from Africa escape unpunished there being no
sufficient power to controul and stopp them Wherefore I
humbly conceive it will be necessary for their Maj^ties service
that I may have a Frigate here, the rather for that the French
Privateers are often encouraged to annoy our shipps they
finding no resistance. 4^th This Province will never be happy
till, my Lord Baltimore's interest be bought out by His Majesty
for while his interest continues his party will be considerable
and on all occasions will be able to disturb the publick peace
and quiet of this Government whereas if this Province were
intire in his Majesty it would soon people the country and
become as flourishing a Province as any.
5^th That there may be no strict embargoe hereafter consid-
ring the small Traders here from the west of England who will