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

Lib. R. R. R.

respective Lott and Lotts built on as aforesaid confirmed to
such person and persons respectively as shall build or cause
to be built as aforesaid, to him, and them, his and their heires
for Ever, (in such manner as in and by the afores^d Acts is sett
forth) by another Act of Assembly of this Province then to be
passed for the end and purpose afores^d Whereof wee strictly
charge and command all & singular the sheriffs of this Pro-
vince forthwith upon Receipt thereof to make publick Procla-
mation in the most publick and convenient places within their
severall and respective Counties.
Given at the City of S^t Maries under the greate Seale of
this Province the third day of October in the tenth yeare of the
Dominion of the R^t hon^ble Charles &c. Annoq Dmi. 1685:

Proclam^a ag^t private marriages w^thout lycense &^c

Maryland ss: By the Dep^ties L^tts
A Proclamation
Whereas severall greate damages and Inconveniences have
and doe daily happen by the private and clandestine marrying
of strangers and others, comeing into this Province from Vir-
ginia, and other neighbouring parts, to the greate irreparable
griefe trouble and disquiett of the Parents Guardians, Over-
seers, masters, or Dames of such persons soe married as
aforesaid, and also to the greate dishono^r of, and reflection
upon the Governm^t To prevent which Evills for the future,

P. 247

wee have thought fitt, and wee doe hereby by and with the
advice of his L^sps Councill straightly charge and com-
mand all and singular the Priests Ministers and other
psons whatsoever within this Province qualified to per-
fprme the R^ts and Ceremonies of Matrimony to any
persons; that upon noe account, colour pretence or pretext
whatsoever he or they doe at any time or times here-
after presume or offer to joine together in matrimony any per-
sons Strangers, or others comeing from Virginia or any other
parts, but such onely as shall first have been strictly examined,
and procured a Certificate or lycense from some magistrate
thereunto authorised and impowered within this Province, that

such persons may lawfully and freely be joined together in

marriage, without any certain and apparent loss damage,
trouble or disquiett to the parents, Guardians, overseers, mas-
ters, mistresses or Dames (if any) of such person or persons
as aforesaid; And without any occasion of reflection or Dis-
hono^r to this Governm^t as aforesaid; Whereof all Priests min-
isters and others within this Province concerned are to take
due cognizance, soe as duely and punctually to observe per-