Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 245

               Maryland Port of Annapolis Octobr 16th 1697. Lib. H. D.

      Sr

       I write to yor Exncy of the 24th of June and inclosed is a Copy

      thereof. This is by the Honoble Thomas Tench Esqr one of

      his Majties Councill & Major Willm Dent who are to wait upon

      your Exncy from his Majtes Honoble Councill here and Governr

      of Virgina

                     Your humble Servant

                       ffra: Nicholson.

       Produced and read an Act appointing Rangers for the

      defence of this Province wherein is a clause empowering his

      Exncy the Governr to leavy the Sum of Sixty thousand pounds

      of Tobacco upon occasion during the intervalls of Assembly

      &ca His Exncy proposes to the Gentlemen present whether or

      no they think it advisable that the said Sum should be leavyed

      this year, upon the ffoot the act directs; tht if in case there

      should be occasion thereof before an Assembly it may lay

      ready for the said uses, and if no such occasion, that then it

      may lay in the Sherriffs hands for the assembly to dispose

      thereof at their meeting as they think fitt; especially con

      sidering this is likely to be a good & plentifull year for tobbas

      and the leavy but small, being not above 43 ls of tobbo p poll.

       Whereupon after some consultation therein had it is

      unanimously agreed & thought convenient that the said

      Sume should be now leavyed by the Comittee for laying the

      Publick leavy for The end & purpose aforesd and is Ordered p. 572

      accordingly.

       Then produced an Act for raising a supply towards the

      defraying the publick charge of the Province.

       His Exncy is pleased to Say that he is very desirous &

      willing all Publick dues should be discharged this year; and

      that if the Comittee of accots shall find it of absolute necessity

      that there be Tobbo wanting for payment of any arrears, he

      will (upon their representation of the same to him) give his

      consent & Ordr to the Treasurers (who are directed to receive

      the severall sumes of tobbo from the Publick Officers) to lend

      so much Tobbo as shall be recd towards defraying such

      arrears, signifying that he has already given Ordrs to the

      Sherriffs for collecting the sd Publick tobacco where it will lay

      ready &ca which his Exncy hopes will discharge all matters

      and that if the same should not be wanting, that then it will

      lay ready against an Assembly for their disposall. Where

      upon it is generally believed that it will be very necessary

      and convenient tht the said Tobacco be raised in Order to the

      paying of Arrears and defraying such publick charges as the

      sd Comittee shall find of absolute necessity to be now corn-