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

Lib. R. R. R.

for two moneths after the date hereof. Witness our trusty
& well beloved Henry Darnall and W^m Digges Esq^rs at our
City of S^t Maries this sixth day of March in the Tenth yeare
of our Dominion Annoq Dmi One thousand six hundred
Eighty and ffour.

p. 212

Read a proclamation for the propagateing Townes accord-
ing to the act of Assembly for advancem^t of Trade, and for
punishing any malitious discourse and reports concerning the
same &c^a (viz:)

By the Dep^ty Govern"

Maryl^d ss: A Proclamation.
Whereas the R^t hon^ble the Lord Prop^ry of this Province by
and with the advice and consent of the upper and Lower
houses of the Generall Assembly of this Province, desireing
nothing more then to advance the generall good and wellfare
of the good people therein Inhabiting, and haveing in an
especiall manner duely weighed and considered that the
advancem^t of Trade doth very much conduce thereunto, did
Exact that all m^rchandizes Imported into this Province, and all
such m^rchandizes as were of the growth pduction or manufac-
ture thereof and exported out of the same should be brought
or conveyed to such ports and places as were in the said act
appointed for Townes Ports or places of Trade & Commerce;
without which daily experience tells us tradeing cannot be
duely managed or with any advantage or certainty continued
notwithstanding which wee are informed that severall persons
not regarding the generall good which may accrue to the
good people of this Province by the advancem^t and propaga-
tion of Trade aforesaid, being led away either by ignorance or
ill affection to the publick good & wellfare thereof, have taken
occasion to raise to themselves and broach severall seemeing
difficulties, which they pretend may be grounded upon the
designe of Townes, and endeavour to amuse & pswade the
vulgar that the Townes aforesaid will not goe forward to the
greate p'judice of the good people of this Province, and others
tradeing hither from other parts, and also to the manifest hin-
derance of Seateing the said Townes by the time limitted by
the said Act. Therefore the Dep^ty Govern^rs aforesaid together
with the advice and consent of his L^sps Councill, takeing the
p^rmisses into their serious consideration, and finding the time
wherein the said Towne sought (according to the designe of
the said Act) to be compleated, doth now draw very neare at
hand, and that all persons concerned ought readily to conform
themselves thereunto, have thought fitt, and doe hereby pub-
lish and declare by the advice and consent aforesaid that the