166 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694—97.

       Lib. H. D.   At a Councill held at the City of St

         p. 82Maries the Tenth day of Novembr Ao 1694.

                          Present

              His Exceliency ffrancis Nicholson Esqr

                           Sr Thomas Laurence Baront Secrry

                  The Honoble Thomas Tench Esqr

                           (Edward Randolph Esqr

                      Came George Layfield Esqr and produced to his

              Potomock & Exncy in Councill a Commission constituting him

              Pocomoke Comptroler and Surveyor of all the Duties &ca

              make Oath   .     .

              to yr Accts arising in Maryland together with certain Instructions

              to the penny relating thereto; Wherevpon the said George Lay-

                    field brought likewise before his Exncy George Plater

              Esqr & Mr Philip Clarke Collectors of Potomock & Petuxnt

              Districts, who severally produceing certain Accots of the Duty

              of the penny p pound by them Collected & Received within

              the said Districts made Oath to the same accordingly, Mr

              Layfield also making Oath to the said Duty by him Collected

              within the District of Pocomoke.

               The aforementioned Commission & Instructions are as fol

              low. Vizt

            Mr Layfields To all People to whom these Presents shall Come

                    Wee the Commissioners for' Managing & Causing

              Surveyor to be Leavyed and Collected his Mats Customs Sub

              &ca sidies & Duties in this his Kingdom of England

              send Greeting know Yee that Wee the said Commissionrs by

              Virtue of an Act of Parliamt made in the 25th year of his late

              Majts Reign, Intituled, An Act for the Encouragemt of the

              Eastland & Greenland Traders, and for the better securing

              the Plantacon Trade, And in the Pursuance of the Authority

              & Direction to Vs Given by the Right Honoble the Lord High

              Treasurer of England Have Deputed & Empowered and Do

           p. 83 hereby Depute and Impower George Layfield to be Comp

              troler and Surveyor of all the Rates, Duties and Impositions

              arising & Growing due to his Majesty in his Province of Mary

              land by Virtue of the said Act Whereby he hath power to

              Enter into any ship, Bottom, Boat or other Vessell, as also into

              any shop, house Warehouse, hostrey or other place whatsoever

              to make diligent search into any Trunck, pack, Case, Chest,

              Truss or any other parcell or package whatsoever for any

              Goods Wares or Merchandize prohibited to be Exported or

              Imported or whereof the Customs or other Duties have not

              been duly paid, And the same to Seize to his Majts Use, And