240 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97.

      Lib. H. D. And that he hath no other or further Accot to give relating

             to the said Revenue to the best of his Remembrance &

             knowledge.

             ReadaLettr Produced and read a Letter from the Rt Honble

              the Lords of the Committee of Trade & fforraign

             mitteeof Plantations unto his Exncy touching hiring Vessells

             Trade &         . . .  .

             Plantacons to keepe cruising in this Province & betwixt this &

             & Likewise Pensilvania, in Order to prevent illegall & false

      Whitehall     Traders; Produced also her sacred Mats Ordr in

             Councill Councills relating thereto as likewise directions and

             relating to the Cruising Instructions about the same, upon which his

             of a Vessell desired the advice of the Board therein; who were

              consenting to the said Matter, if a fit person can be

             Traders &Ca found out to Manage the said concerns.

             Order for Came Capt Thomas Meech, who tendering his

             Drawing

             Comission service upon that score, & being thought a person

             for Capt Meech to well qualifyed for such an vndertaking; His Exncy in

             Cruise &ca Councill was pleased to Order as it is hereby Ordered

                    that Comission be prepared for him accordingly, he

             giveing Bond with two sufficient Sureties for the due Execution

             of the said Trust & that Mr Attorney & Mr Sollicitor Genll

         p. 168  draw the said Comission and Bond & be Regulated in doing

             the same by the aforementioned Ordr of Councill Lords Lettr

             and Instructions aforesaid and that an Instruction be inserted

             in the said Bond that he in no wise molest or trouble fair

             Traders but to Assist them And apply himself wholy to the

             detecting vnfair and illegall Traders, And further Ordered

             that a Genll Warrant be drawn for to Empower him (upon

             Occasion) to press Seamen provided he pay their Wages;

             therein Commanding all persons Military & Civill within this

             Province to be Aiding & Assisting to him in the Just & due

             Execution of his said Comission And further Ordered that

             the Oathes appointed by Act of parliamt to be taken instead

             of the Oathes of Allegiance & Supremacy & Oath of Trade

             & Navigation be administred unto him and that he Subscribe

             to the Test.

              The said Meech Signifying his Readiness to Enter upon the

             sd Imploy in a very short time, brought Robert Mason & Philip

             Clarke both of Snt Maries County his securities who Obliged

             themselves before his Exncy in Councill to Answer all Damages

             which may any wayes Ensue through Meanes of him the said

             Meech's fitting out a Vessell to Cruise as afd, And that they

             will Enter into Bond for the Same, whensoever they shall be

             thereunto Required.