Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 139

    Victualls and Refreshmts (whch are more plentifull within yor Lib. H. D.

    Governmt and from whence a great part of our Supplies are

    fetcht unto Newfoundland, as may be Needfull for his Mats

    Ships and Land fforces imployed on the Expedtion thither,

    the Success of is of great Import to the whole Nation, and

    these Colonies particularly concern'd therein, and I am Ex

    treamly Sollicitous that it be not disappointed through the

    failing of Supplies, Vessells for the transporting of which will

    be Easily procured here; if you stand in Need thereof. I am

                                 Honrble Sr

                          Yor affectionate ifreind & Servt

                                 Wm Stoughton

       I have also here inclosed a Coppy of a letter from Christo

    pher Codington Esq Capt Genll of his Mats Leward Carribee

    Islands to the Governr of Bermuda, giving an Accot of the

    Motions of the English & ffrench Squadrons of Men of Warr

    in the West Indies, with a list of the Ships &ca in the English

    Squadron, not knowing but some particulars therein may be

    New unto yor Exncy

        Govr of Maryland.

       At a Councill held at the Port of Annapolis the 24th day of

    June in the Ninth Year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord

    King William the Third &Ca Annoq Domini 1697.

                          Present

      His Exncy ffrancis Nicholson Esq Capt Genll &Ca

             Sr Thomas Laurence Baront Secryr

             Thomas Tench Esq

       Read a Sunions issued this day for Calling a Councill as

    follows, Vizt

             Port of Annapolis June the 24th 1697.

       Honrble Sr

        Some business presenting, importing his Mats Service,

    which requires the meeting of his Mats honrble Councill to Con

    sult the Same; this Comes by Ordr to Signifye that your

    Attendance is Required accordingly here this day to give dis

    patch to the sd Business or that you send an Answer in writ

    ing of the Reason which may obstruct or hinder your not

    Coming.

                  Signed p Ordr Hen: Denton Cl Concill.

       One of the above was sent to the honrble Coll: Henry Jowles

    Keeper, Coll: Nicho Greenberry, and Thomas Tench Esq.