322 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97.

     Lib. H. D.  publick Seal of the province to be herevnto affixed this tenth

             day of July in the Seaventh year of the Reign of our Soveraign

             Lord Wm by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, ifrance

         Merjant & Ireland King defender of the ifaith &Ca Annoq Domini

            1695                             Joseph Blake

             Signed & Sealed in the  ( Seal

                              ofthe

               prseflce of Wm Porter (Province

                      Sam” Gunn

                      J ohn Mascrot

               Produced & Read a Letter by his Excellency Recd from

             Capt Harry Beverley of the Colony of Virginia, which follows

             in these Words; Vizt

               May it please your Excell

           Capt Bever:     It has pleased his Exncy the Governr of Virginia

             leys Lre to his

            Exncy touch-   to imploy me to Cruise on that Coast for the preven

                    tion of illegall Traders, and it being my Chance to

                    meet with a ship that is now Arrived in Seavern

             River, did intend to have Examined here, but she passing Us

             and refusing (after two Gvns fired ahead of her) to pay any

             obedience to his Mats Colours, I ran vp along their side with

             our Sloop & Commanded them to strike Sayl, or I would fire

             into them; they cursed & said if I offered it they would sinke

             me immediately & make me an example to all the Rogues in

             the World, appearing with their small Arms & preparing their

             great Guns; Wherevpon I fired into them, wch caused them to

             lower their top Gallant Sayls, but would not brace too their

             head Sayles to let me come on Board; the next Morning it

             being less Wind I went to go on Board with our Boat, but

             coming along their side they appeared twenty or thirty of

             them with drawn swords, giving me a great many abusive

         p. 241 Words & Swore We should not come on Board.

               And last thursday, May it please yor Exncy I Arrived here in

             hopes to have acquainted your Exncy with what had passed,

             but being informed that your Exncy would not Return before

             the begining of October, I went to Capt Hill who told me he

             had Enter'd the Ship & would not shew me any papers. I

             desired tht there might be a course taken with the Master, he

             said he knew not who he was, but his Children were con

             cerned & he would stand vp for them, I went then to Coll

             Greenbury's who said he could do nothing in it, I must go to

             your Exncy and hearing that your Exncy would cross the head

             of the Bay at Sassafras River, I have been there, but cannot

             have the oportunity to pay my Duty to your Exncy therefore

             have presumed to acquaint your Exncy with the reason of my

             coming here in Writing, and desire that your Exncy would take