324 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97.

       Lib. H. D.     he demanded the pervsall of my Books of Entry of ships, I

             told him I was not obliged to any such thing, then he desired

             pen, Inke & paper & wrote a large Declaration & called his

             Men to hear it Read and then asked them what they thought

             of it, one of them swore he thought it would all come to noth

             ing soon after which he very civilly tooke leave & went away:

             much more discourse passed but this is chiefly what occurs to

             my memory all which I humbly submit to your Excell & am

                 Yor Exncies most obedient Servt

                      at all Commands         Richard Hill

                    May it please your Exncy

             Capt Rich- In obedience of whose Commands I humbly answer

                    the Letter your Excell received from Harry Beverley

             Answer wherein I am falsely accused (as I hope will more at

             large appear) vnto your Exncy by what doth here Ensue, which

             the Major part of our ships company can affirm.

               ffirst he informs your Exncy that I refused to strike, I did not

             Refuse, but at that time was so farr distance (that though I

         p. 243  heard his guns) could not distinguish what Colours he had; as

             he came neare I discerned & was satisfyed he bore his Mats

             Colours; Wherevpon I immediately reverenced the same (not

             as Beverly observes because of his third Gun, though shot

             through our Sayl) but to discharge my Duty. Before it was

             darke the Sloop came alongst our side, hail'd Us & com

             manded Us to bring to, which I modestly denyed (without

             cursing & vsing such language as is related vnto your Exncy)

             because of the danger that then our ship was in, Night coming

             on with a fresh Southerly Wind, & We then vpon the sholes

             of Tangier Isles. That our Men appeared with more small

             Arms than at other times I deny, And as for our great Guns,

             it is customary for Us to have them always in the like readi

             ness, especiall when chaced: That next Morning when Capt

             Beverly pretended to come on Board I did not resist his com

             ing either with Swords or Swearing; what drawn swords there

             was, were no more than vsuall for our own safety, not to scare

             our Countrey men; besides his pretence there is apparently

             false in it self, for We had neither thirty nor Twenty Men, nor

             swords; not else but humbly intreating your Exncies pardon for

             the rudeness of my style, withall hoping your Exncy will be

             graciously pleased to take into consideration where the abuse

             lyes, is the Petition of

                                       Yor Excell most dutifull

                                       & ever obedient Servant

                                           Richard Hill Junr

                      October the 9th 1695.