Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 203

    arrivall likewise in Virga with Severall of his Mats Men of Lib. H. D.

    Warr and ffour Dutch men; and of the time Since they Came

    and of their Success and Condition they were in, but sent no

    Acct thereof unto his Exncy either by Letter or otherwise;

    notwithstanding his Mats Service depended thereon.

     Ordered therefore that the Sherriff of Talbott County

    Surnons the sd Wm Sharp upon his Return from Virginia

    (notwithstanding he is gone there again) for to be and

    appear at the Fort of Annapolis before his Exncy in Councill

    the second Thursday in October next to Answer the Prem

    ises.

     Ordered that the Honrble Coll: John Courts and Majr Wm

    Dent be Writt to, to know why they sent not his Exncy an

    Accot of the News about the Arrivall of those Men of Warr in

    Virga hearing they had Notice of it and Reported it about. p. 545

    His Exncy being pleased to say that if they Could not think fit

    to let him know such news as well as others, his ExncY does

    not think fltt that they should Report such things about, not

    knowing what Damage and Prejudice it might be to his Mats

    Intrest the Noising Such things about.

     Ordered that W Collyer and Mr Aldern Navll Officr and

    Depty Coll' of the Port of Williamstadt be writt to, to give an

    Accot why they sent not his EXnCY word, of the News William

    Sharpe brought from Virginia.

       By his Exncy the Governr & Councill, Augt 27: 1697.

     Vpon Representacon that the Workmen at the State House

    do much mispend their time and neglect the public work by

    Drunkenness and tipling in the Ordinaries within this Town

    and Port of Annapolis.

     Ordered therefore that a Generall Notice be Given by the

    Sherriff to all the Ordinary keepers therein; Strictly to

    fforwarn them from Entertaining any of the sd Workmen or

    Labourours in their Houses above a Quarter of an hour at a

    time (except Mr ffreemans house, where they are Accommo

    dated) at their Perrill, and that the Sherriff Serve them Sev

    erally with a Copy of this Ordr His Mats Counsell at Law

    being hereby directed and Ordered (upon any Complaint

    made) to take forth an Action of 1000 lb Sterl. at the Kings

    Suit, against any Ordinary keeper that shall be found tarde

    therein, or Acting Contrary.

                 Signed p Ordr Hen: Denton Cl. Concil.

     His ExncY is pleased to Say that being at Prince Georges

    County Court he heard Various Reports concerning the