298 Assembly Proceedings, April 30-May 14, 1696.

U. H. J.

In answer to your Excellencys demands in Council relating
to the Ships now in the Country we whose names are here-
under written do in the first Place humbly request that such
Ships as concern us being now in a forwardness to sail may
be Cleared as soon as got ready and in Order thereto do pre-
sume to Offer the following Reasons viz^t

1 Our Provisions falling short and finding at present
Great Scarcity of such things in the Country will of necessity
by staying force us to Great Charge & Extremity
2 The time of year draws on for the Worms biting
which by staying may hazard the loss of our ships
3 We Greatly stand in fear of our mens falling sick as is
Customary to strangers Summering in this Country
4 If we should be delayed in our Voyages and our men
sicken upon us our designs would be wholly frustrated there
being no Seamen possible to be had here

p. 863

That as to Captain Barbers Proposall of Convoying the
Ships to within Sixty Leagues of Ireland will be no wise
Serviceable to us considering we shall be then left in the
Greatest danger besides most of us designs north about which
is a Contrary way all which is submitted by

Your Excellencys most Obedient &
Humble Servants

John Hamilton Lawrence Swarbreack
Jos: Peacock Andrew Malpas
Richard Hill Jun^r John Rock

Signed by Philip Haward for John Sanders John Loung
John Ribton Mate on behalf of Tho^s Monke Tho^s Sutton
Signed by Tho^s Sutton for Robert Grason Philip Harwood
Signed by Tho^s Brane for Abraham Tuckett John Oliver
Signed by John Watson for Christo Buskill Richard Chesheer
M^r Dent for Captain Henry Browne
Signed by James Brown in the Behalf of M^r John Lancaster

The which being read and sundry London Merchants being
present were asked if they had any thing to say in Objection
thereto but they Objecting nothing It is Ordered this day in
Council that the Ships whereof the said Petitioners are masters
be Cleared upon the Proviso as in an Order of this Board of
the 4^th of May Instant relating to Clearing Ships is Expressed.
The Collectors and Naval Officers of Patuxent and Potomack
Districts being present were asked if all the Masters &c have
had notice who make answer that they all had notice but were
not all come Ordered thereupon that no Masters of Ships now