Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681-85/6. 455

His L^sp: attended accordingly and then putt in his answer in
writeing.

The Lord Baltemores Answer to the Complaints of M^r Nehe-
miah Blakiston mentioned in his Lett^r to the Com" of his
Maj'^ies customs dated the 20^th of Aprill 1685:

It plainely appeareth by a Lett^r from the Governo^r of Vir-
ginia to the Deputies of Maryland, that the escape made by
George Talbott out of prison was occasioned by the corruption
of the guard, and not procured by any Persons of Maryland,
as is falsely suggested in the Lett^r of the said Blackiston. And
that as soone as the Governo^r of Virginia had given notice to
the Deputies of Maryland of the said Talbotts escape ;
especiall care was taken immediately by them for his appre-
hension, as appeareth by the Hue and crye sent out into all
parts of the Province, besides what other waies & meanes
could be used for the speedy bringing in of the said Talbott,
who never was publickly seen at his owne plantation (though
the contrarie is affirmed by the said Blakiston) but alwaies
kept himself out in the mountaines to the northward, untill at
last he resolved to Surrender himself to the deputies of Mary-
land, where now he is under a strong guard, to be disposed off
as his Maj^tie shall think fitt.
His L^sp is very confident, M^r Blackiston has noe just cause
to complain of his being discountenanced in the execution of
his place, for that he very well knowes his Officers dare not
presume to offer any contempt, nor shew the least disrespect
either to his pson or commission nor would they p^rsume to
disswade Masters of vessells from p^rsenting themselves and
their certificates . to his Maj^ties Officers, His L^sp haveing long
since ordered that they should apply themselves to the Kings
Collecto^r as well as to his owne, and such was the practice
whilest M^r Christopher Rousby was liveing, and the truth of
this may be easily knowne, from severall Masters of ships,

Lib, R. R. R.
P. 305

and others now in Towne; After M^r Christopher Rousby was
soe unfortunately killed by George Talbott, the Dep^ties of
Maryland did p^rsume to appoint Coll W^m Digges, and Majo^r
Nich^s Sewall, (both of them persons of good repute and
Estates) to Officiate as Collect' of his Maj^ties Dues, untill
another person could be appointed by the Com^rs of his Maj^ties
Customs, and this they thought their duty to take care to
doe, that his Maj^ties affaires might receive the less p^rjudice by
that wicked Act of the said Talbott, and his L^sp doubts not but
the said persons soe appointed will give a just acco^t of their
proceedings to the Com^rs of his Maj^ties customs.

p. 306