Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97. 227

    being compelled to give any other the like Bond in Maryland Lib. H. D.

    Wee are

           Sr Your Very humble Servants Robt Cleyton

    Custom house London              P Ward

    17th   1694              Robt Southwell

                              C: Godolphin

    The Severali George Layfield Esqr Collectr of Pocomoke Dis- P. 157

    answer to the trict George Plater Esqr Collector of Petuxant Dis

    aforegoing trict & Mr Philip Clarke late Collector of Potomock

    Lettr &ca District all with in this Province did severally make

    answer to the aboue Letter, That they were no Wayes guilty

    of the matter there in charged.

    Order abt Willys abt Produced by his Exncy petition of one Edward

    Negros Willy Merchant preferred to his Exncy the Govern”

    Clandestinly of Barbadoes, together with the said Governrs Lettr

     ought from to his Exncy here, in favour of the Petitioner The

           Petition setting forth that one Thomas Jones had

    to one Jones knowingly bought of Capt Thomas Hill Comander

    wth the sd of the Ketch Adventure, a couple of Negro's which

     the said Hill had brought clandestinly away from

    &ca Barbado's contrary to Law, therefore prayed that

    the same might be again restored to the Right owner, So that

    he as Security for the said Hill might not be damnifyed—

    Then produced a paper of the said Jones in Answer to the

    said Peticon whereby was signifyed that he did purchase of

    the said Hill two Negro's one for 7600 l of tob and the other

    for tenn Thousand pds of tob: wch was by him duely paid, with-

    all Setting forth that after his purchase of the same made, he

    understood the said Negro's did belong to a Plantacon in

    Barbado's and had a hand in the Plot, therefore were sent on

    Board the said Hills Vessel to be hid by two of the Seamen

    and were Accordingly hid, Unknown to the said Hill vntill

    two days after his departure from Barbado's, as the said Hill

    told the said Jones, And further said that to secure himself of

    the hazard of their Lives, he would dispose of them, And

    that if the said Jones would not keep them he the said Hill

    had Chapmen enough for to take them off his hands.

     Ordered that the Attorneys be consulted therein, And their

    Opinion & Answer upon the same to be given, with all Expe

    dition.