428 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97.

      Lib. H. D. 4thly It is observed that by the whole scope of his petition

             he makes as if he were the only person Aim'd at to pay the

             said Duty, out of some prejudice conceived by the Governmt

             of himself or his Imployers.

               Lastly as to the late explanatory Act about the sd Duty, it is

             Referred to Mr Attorney & Sollicitor Gen” to Advize whether

             the Law can looke back to an Act done before, as also that

             they consider of the above Remarkes & petition & Return

             their Report to this Board accordingly.

       p. 320       To his Exncy the Governr & Councill &ca

               In Obedience to your Excells Commands herevnto Annext

               We humbly say—

               1st Capt Cheshire being demanded by Us how he could

             make it appear that the Officer at Williamstadt informed him

             it was lawfull to transport &ca He saith he can prove the same.

               2d He says he was willing to pay the Duty of Ten p Cent

             had the same been demanded of him.

               3d He pretends not to make appear any other Goods Trans

             ported to Virginia, but in potomock River, from one side to

             the other.

               4th Being by Us demanded what he meanes by these

             Words, he declares that if his Intentions are not so clearly

             Expressed as it should be, that he is extremely sorry for the

             same, for that he is so farr from conceiving any such thing,

             that he is sensible of many favours recd in this Concern, but

             that he is doubtfull his Employer should suspect & Accuse

             him for ill Managemt &ca And lastly as to the late Explanatory

             Act We conceive that in Reguard the Representative Body of

             this province has declared that it never was their intent the sd

             Act should extend so farr as to Charge the Ten p Cent on

             Goods carryed to Virginia & no farther, and that the Duty

             was to be Applyed to the vse of the Province, it remains with

             your Exncy & Councill either to Require or Release &ca All

             which is humbly submitted to yor Exncy by

                   Yor Excells most obedient

                            Servants

                                             George Plater

                                             Wm Dent

                By his Exncy the Govr & Councill

                       May the 16th 1696.

               The Report of Mr Attorney & Sollicitor Genll vpon the above

             Remarkes & Ordr being Read; as to the first where the Petr