Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 1 1

        sion more difficulty to Us then anything has happened yet, Lib. H. P.

        by reason we shall all want Provision, Nevertheless that none p. 39

        may have Occasion to ffind fault I will prolong the time as

        ffarr as possible, and if I can stay till the ffirst of Aprill before

        I sail from Kicquatan (where I purpose to make up the ffieet)

        I will, but I believe we shall ffind Provision Difficult to be got

        here I hope to see your Exncy before I saile that I may Return

        thanks for all yor ffavours in the mean time rest yor Exncys most

        Obliged                Humble Servant

        Greenwhich in York River  Cha: Wager

          ffebry the 16th 1696/7.

           I believe a Vessell will be dispatcht away from hence that

        the Reasons of our Stay may be known I shall send up a Boat

        in ifew days which shall give yor Exncy a further Accot of that.

        On his mats Service

        To his Exncy Coll: ffrancis Nicholson

        Capt Genll & Governr of Maryland.

                                   these

         The Comodores Whereas I am Inform'd by Severall Letters

           Lre to the Severall from Maryland that the Winter has been so hard

        Mastrs of Ships that it has been impossible for Ships, to Load, and

        time of Sayling.    that they cannot be ready to sail by the ffirst of

                 March. I do hereby Give Notice that notwithstand

        ing any former Ordr I will prolong the time of Sayling as much

        as possible; believing it for his Mats Service as well as the bene

        fit of Trade that no Ship may lose the benefit of this prsent

        Convoy; to which purpose I have Ordered Capt Daniell to

        Continue in Maryland till the 25th of March by which time I

        hope all Ships there will be ready to Sail with him to Joyne

        the rest of the ffleet, at Kicquatan; ifrom which place I do

        purpose to sail God willing the ffirst day of Aprill next.

        Dated on Board his Mats Ship     Cha: Wager

        the Greenwich in York River

        ffebruary the 16th 1696/7.

                      Directed as followes, Vizt

                      On his Mats Service.

         To the Comanders of the Severall Mercht Ships in the Sev

            erall Rivers of Maryland.

                 Sr

        Comrs of the Having Notice from our Agent in Scotland

        Customs Lre to

        his Exncy abt That the Ship Alexandr of Greenoake Robt

        the Ship Johnson or Stuart master lately came directly

         thither with a Lading of Tobacco from Petuxant

                 River in Maryland We desire you will please to

        make Strict inquiry whether Bond was duly given before her