Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681-85/6. 343

use our endeavour to bring him to justice; although at first
soe much questioned, as that we were not to be trusted with
the prisoner; but how much better the case has been managed,
now is evident Now we come to render your L^sp our hearty
thankes for your soe favourably takeing notice of us in seve-
rall Letters to us pticularly; and acknowledge to have reed:
coppies of the Lords of the Committee, and the Com^rs Letters
and Instructions to your L^sp. which we have perused and con-

Lib. R. R. R.

sidered, and shall as neere as possibly we cann follow your
L^sps ord^r in complyance with the said Instructions: There are
some things that doe seeme a little difficult at first sight, one
especially altogether impossible, and that is sending home all
Cocketts since the yeare 1680: we cannot find any such, nor
did wee ever know or heare of any coppies taken, or orders
given for soe doeing; but the Cocketts returned to the master
after peruseall and notice taken of them, all or most part of the
bonds of Navigation have been usually taken by the Kings
Collect^r what of them shall be produced, and require suite, we
will see shall be effectually prosecuted.
We shall observe the matter of forme in receiveing & grant-
ing Certificates, and accordingly acquaint every master of
Shipp with the danger of goeing without such Certificates,
and for the ffuture shall be very carefull in takeing sufficient
able security, such as this Province affords: There is one
Article more which seemes something dark, which saies that
noe European goods shall be permitted to be landed in this
Province but by warrant from the Collecto^r and in the p^rsence
of an Officer, we want to have explained, who it is must pro-
vide this Officer, and how he shall be satisfied, nay according
to the true literall sense thereof (if the same must be strictly
pursued) there must of necessity be an Officer on board every
Shipp that comes in, which will create an extraordinary charge
or else the shipp putt to unnecessary tedious delays: This and
almost all the other Articles of the Lords, and the Commiss"
Instructions have dependency upon the Kings Collect' which
by reason of the late unhappy murd^r of M^r Rousby we will
take care shall be supplyed by those persons appointed by this
Governm^t to looke after & secure his Maj^ties Duties here; And
soe may it please your L^dsp: we shall in all things to our skill
and power endeavour punctually to comply with the said
Instructions according to y^r L^sps ord^r soe farr forth as in us
lyes, and upon all occasions sufficiently demonstrate that this
your Province is as Zealous, and we cann act as much for the
advancem^t of his Maj^ties service and Interest as any other of
his plantations or Dominions whatsoever, and therein approove
ourselves Y^r L^sps most ffaithfull humble Serv^ts
H: Darnall N: Sewall
W; Digges

p. 184