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tinguishing such as have the Custom House Commissions,
from the few which sailed before the Resolution on that Head
was taken: And also a Copy of the Instructions given by the
Lords of the Admiralty to the several Commanders of these
Ships.
The Precautions, which, upon perusing the two last men-
tioned Papers, you will observe to have been taken here: &
the strict Orders given on this Occasion to the Commanders
of all the Ships of War in America: will sufficiently point out
to you, how earnestly the King wishes, that all possible means
should be used to root out so iniquitous a Practice: A Practice
carried on in contravention of many express & repeated Laws,
tending not only to the Diminution and Impoverishment of
the Publick Revenue, at a time, when this Nation is labouring
under a heavy Debt incurred by the last War for the Protec-
tion of America: but also to expose every fair Trader to
certain Detriment, & even Danger of Ruin, by his not being
able to carry his Commodities to Market, on an equal Footing
with those who fraudulently evade the Payment of the just
Dues and Customs for the same.
It is the Kings Pleasure, that you do, by the first Opportu-
nity, acknowledge the Receipt of this Letter, & that you do,
from time to time, transmit to me, for His Majesty's Informa-
tion, exact Accounts of whatever shall happen, within your
Government, in an Affair which the King considers to be of
the highest Importance to the Commercial Interests of His
Subjects, & the Improvement of the Publick Revenue; You
will likewise impart to me, for the King's Approbation such
further Hints, as may occur to you, as proper for the Subject.
I must also inform you, that His Majesty's Resolution, to
have the most implicit Obedience paid to these His Com-
mands, is so fixed: that as on the one Hand, your particular
Diligence & Attention in the Performance of your Duty herein,
will not fail to recommend you to His Majesty's Royal Favor;
so, on the other, it is incumbent on me to acquaint you, that
the King will not pass over unnoticed any Negligence or
Relaxation on the part of any Persons employed in His
Service, in a matter, on which His Majesty lays so much
Stress & in which the fair Trade of all His Faithful Subjects
is so essentially interested.
I am, with great Truth & Regard
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Egremont
Depty Govr of Maryland.
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