Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681—85/6. 451

charged, and will then in convenient time, and as good method
as he cann render his reasonable answer and proofes in his
defence.

Ordered thereupon by this board that the said Blackiston
have time till the next Provinciall Court w^ch will beginn the
last Tuesday in Aprill next; to make his answer and produce
what Evidences he cann in his Defence; and that in ord^r
thereunto, summons for what Evidences he shall nominate be
at any time granted him by any one of the Councill, and that
coppy of his said Lett^r be delivered him by the Clk of the
Councill if required.

The said Blackistones Lett^r and his L^sps answer thereto
being both read were ordered to be entred as followeth (viz^t)

M^r Ne^a Blackistons Lre. to the Com^rs cont" a charge ag^t this
Govern'

May it please your Hono^rs
I hope my Lett^r of the 10^th of Novemb: last sent via Vir-
ginia, and my Duplicate of the same in another Ship, is come
safe to your hands, since which I mett with diverse Testi-
monyes & experiencies of the truth of what Intelligence I therein
gave to your Hon^rs The most horrid Murder of his Maj^ties
Collecto^r here, hath been and is daily seconded, with very
apparent tokens of approvenr both from Talbott the bloody
malefacto^r and all his adherents, who are busie in extenuateing
his crime, and have conspired a'nd procured his Escape from
prison in Virginia, and from thence transported him into

Lib. R. R. R.

Maryland, where he remaines publickly knowne at his owne
house; There's little hopes of his being brought to Justice,
that he may receive condign punishm^t there being a litterall
Intercourse and correspondence betweene him and some prin-
cipall Magistrates of this Province, and noe effectuall course
taken for his apprehension, which I humbly conceive may be
a strong argument, and signall token to yo^r Hono^rs of the ill
and wicked carriage of things here, ever since M^r Rousbys
murder; I have been continually discountenanced and
obstructed in my proceedings in his Maj^ties Service by the
chiefe persons left and Deputed for the Governm^t of this

Province; they have conteained & disowned my Commission,

to me and burnt my Certificates to Masters of Shipps, and
have diverted and disswaded Masters of Shipps from applying
themselves any waies to me, and soe have Entred cleared and
dispatched Shipps without my notice or privity, By which
meanes I am certain severall Transgresso^rs have escaped, and

p. 301