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

         Lib. H. D. Observation thereof from all psons respectively. So we bid

                you heartily farewell

                 Whitehall Sept the 2d 1697 Your very       Loveing freinds

                                               J. Bridgewater

                                               Ph:     Meadows

                                               John Polexfen

                              John Locke

                                               Abr Hill

             P.     233 To his Excy Francis Nicholson Esqr Capt gen” and Corn

                ander in Chiefe of this his Matys Province of Maryland

                            New York Augt 30th 1697.

                Govr New Sr

                Yorks Lre to

                his Exncy abt  I acknowledge the ffavour of yor Exncys by

                News sent by  Perry and do heartily wish the news you are

                Mr Perry &ca  pleased to Communicate were Confirmed but I

                doubt our ffleet have not mett that good ffortune. A Sloop

                from Jamaica whose master was on Board one of the Kings

                Ships when the ffrench were discovered Says we could not

                Come up with them so as to bring them to an Engagemt

                 I hear nothing of Coll: Gibson or the Earle of Bellarnont

                they are daily Expected one to Resettle Newfoundland the

                other to Govern this Province and New England, I am Sr

                              Yor Exncys

                                          Most humble Servant

                                            Ben: ifietcher

         p. 128           Maryland, Port of Annapolis, Augt 17th 1697.

                Govt Nichol-  Govt ifietcher. Sr

                sons Lre to the

                Govr of New    What news we have, I herewith Send yor Exncy,

                York abt and I hope in God, that we shall have the Confir

                news Sent       . .

                thither mation of Vice Admirall Nevills having taken and

                        distroyed Pontees Squadron and Retaken most of

                the plunder which they got at Carthagena & that we shall

                have very Good news from Europe, which God Grant.

                 This being our vacation time for Ships and Vessells coming

                in we are in hopes and Expectacon of having news from yor

                EXnCY Governmt but if any should come hither by accident,

                worth sending yor Exncy it shall be done by

                        Yor most humble Servt

                                            ffr: Nicholson

                Comodore Honrble Sr

                 Dilks Lre to his Exncy abt Severall of the men belonging to the Ships of

                deserting Sea- his Mats Squadron under my Comand having

                men &ca deserted very lately desire yor Exncy will Issue out

                your Proclamation for the taking them up, In Ordr to their