Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 149

       I am in hopes the Encouragemt proposed may Answer Lib. H. D.

     Expectacon for this Province (God be thanked) is indiffer

     ently well stored with Wheat now and there is great likely-

     hood of a good Crop this Year, both of Wheat and Corn, as

     also Store of mast for Pork, and I hope this proves likewise

     a Seasonable year with you.

       Vessells are Scarce here, therefore if any from your Gov

     ernmt (upon the Encouragemt propos'd) will be induced to

     Come hither to Buye it will be of great Service to his Maty

     and furtherance of the sd Expedition by sending them a

     Seasonable Supply, which is all the Encouragemt that Can be

     thought off to be Given in this his Mats Governmt by

                         Your Honrs

       Directed            Affectionate ffriend & Servt

     ffor his Mats Speciall Service.    ffr: Nicholson

       To the Rt honrble Wm Stoughton Esq

       Lieutent Governr and Comandr in Chief of his Mats Prov

     ince of the Massachusetts Bay in New England.

       Ordered that what Ships cannot get ready to goe with his

     mats ffrigott the Harwick under the Comand of Capt Andrew

     Douglas now Riding in Virginia be notwithstanding clear'd

     (if they can get ready to goe) betwixt and the 28th of Sep

     tember next, but not afterwards untill further Ordr whereof

     the Severall Collectors and Navall Officers are to take due

     Notice and Conform themselv's accordingly.

       His EXnCY is pleas'd to Signifye that he lately recd: Advice

     of one of his Mats men of Warr being Arrived in Virga from

     Leverpoole called the Dover Prize, who has Orders to Stay

     90: days (but had no particular letter from the Commander

     thereof) in Ordr to Convoy the Ships that shall be left behind, p. 529

     bound ffor those parts, whereof the Collectors and Navall

     Officers are to give Notice to all masters of ships so left

     behind, that they may fit themselves to have the Benefit of

     such Convoy.

       Came George Plater Esq Collr and Receiver of his Mats

     Customs within the District of Petuxant and George

     Muschamp Esq Collr and Receiver of his Mats Customs in

     Potomock District and made Oath to severall lists (Dupli

     cates) of Shiping and Accots &Ca

       His Exncy produces to the Board a Letter by him recd. from

     the Rt honrble the Commrs of his Mats Customs, Dated the 3d

     of ffebry 1696: intimating that pursuant to the Directions of

     the Rt honrble the Lords Commrs of his Mats Treasury they

     had issued forth a Deputathn to Mr Peter Jenings to be Collr

     of his Mats Duties at Potuxen River in Maryland instead of

     George Plater &ca And the sd Mr Jenings be called in was