464 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97.

        Lib. H. D. Ordr to Coll Ordered thereupon that the honrble Coll: David

            76 Brown &ca                 .

          p. abt the Brown go thither and take with him Majr Robt King

             illegall trade Navll Officer and Geo: Layfleld Esq his Mats Col

                lector of Pocomoke District who are hereby Re

             County. quired to make inquiry abt that matter, and to Call

             and Cause to be brought before them all persons they find

             Requisite, and the same to Examine, and generally to Act and

             doe therein as they shall see Occasion, And if they think fit

             that it be for his Mats Service, that Vessells be permitted to

             come in there, that then they appoint some capable person for

             to Officiate in that place, hereby Empowering the sd Coll

             Brown to Administer the Oath of Trade and Navigation

             (herewith sent) unto such person so appointed; but if thought

             Useless to keep such Officer there that then Some person be

             appointed for to Seize all persons Vessells & Sloops coming

             thither; and that they make Return of their proceedings therein

             unto his Exncy at the port of Annapolis with all Convenient

             Speed.

                Read the following Petition, Vizt.

               To his Exncy ffrancis Nicholson Esq Capt Genll and Comandr

             in Chief in and over his Mats Province and Territory of Mary

             land.

               The Petition of Thomas Collyer one of yor Exncy's Navall

             Officers.

               Humbly Sheweth

             Tho: Coll- That whereas yor Exncy hath been pleased to

             yers P etition              . ll

             for In- appoint yor Petr to be Navll Officer of Choptanke

             largemt of District upon the Eastern Shore and yor Petr does

               Navll Officrs humblyconceive that it was yor Exncys noble Intention

             Comission that vor Petr should exercise the sd Office in as large

             and Ordr

             therein,  and ample manner as the same would admit; and

                    not that yor Pet in the exercising of the sd Office

             should be limmited and restrayned to great Choptanke Rivers

             onely, excluding thereby, little Choptanke Miles, Wye &

             Chester Rivers, touching the Granting of permits for Sloops

             and other Vessells, and other matters Incident and appertain

             ing to the same Office, which yor Petr is totally deprived of

             and his Sd Office is thereby Rendered of less Value; & the

             perquisites of Great Choptanke Rivers in Respect of the sd

             Office, are very Small and are not a competent Support and

             livelyhood for your sd officer.

               Yor Petr humbly Prays yor Excy to take this his Cause into

             your Consideration and that you would be pleased to Declare

             yor Exncy's pleasure therein By such Rules & Methods for the

             direction of yor s' Officer as to Yor Exncy shall seem meet;

             And Yot Petr as in Duty bound shall ever Pray.