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

           Lib. H. D.     to view the severall Troops & Companies, Visit the Churches &

                 inspect & see all the publick Roads; if no impediment happens.

                 This coming as a caution, that all the Laws respecting those

                 matters may be duly complyed with.

                   His Exncy is pleased to say that this proving a very plenti

                 ful year both for Corn & Tobbo he design'd to have sett a

                 part a day of publick thanksgiving for the same; but not

                 hearing any thing out of England to know how things are

                 there, he can't tell whether it may be so proper. But if please

                 God it should so fall out the there is good news from thence,

                 he does designe (God willing) to sett a day apart.

                   His Exncy representing to the Board how tht he under

                 stands Mr Robt Mason High Sherriff of St Maries County

             p. 588  holds private correspondence with Mr John Cood in Virginia,

                 notwthstanding his Excellencies Proclamation to the contrary;

                 is pleased to demand of the Kings Lawers (being present)

                 what course is fitt to be taken, and whether by law he may

                 not be taken into custody and his papers seiz'd, who do say

                 tht it may be done by an Act of State, but not by any Law in

                 matters of such a nature; whereupon the following Order

                 issued Vizt

                   By his Exncy the Governr & Councill Octobr 21st 1697.

                   Vpon Information Recd that Mr Robt Mason high Sherriff

                 of St Maries County holds private & Secret correspondence

                 with Mr John Cood & hath in his custody severall papers and

                 debts of his to Receive; notwithstanding he is conscious of

                 the severall proceedings issued against the sd Cood at the

                 Suite of his Majesty both for Criminall & other matters, for

                 the avoiding whereof the sd Cood removed himselfe from this

                 his Majesties Province into his Majesties Colony of Virginia.

                 Ordered thereupon that Geo: Muschamp Esqr Collectr &

                 Receiver of his Majtes Customes within the district of Poto

                 mock &ca do upon sight hereof immediately go to the said

                 Mr Masons house and there search & examine into all the

                 Bookes, Writings, Letter & other papers remaining in the

                 Custody of the sd W Mason; and that such thereof as he

                 finds belonging to or sent & writt from the said Cood to him,

                 he the said Esqr Muschamp take the same into his custody

                 and close seale them up in a bagg and secure them; and that

                 he send an account of his proceedings herein, unto his Exncy

                 at the Port of Annapolis, with all convenient speed; but keep

                 the papers by him until further Order.

                              Signed p Order Hen: Dento: Cl Concil

                   Produced and read a Letter sent from Mr Charles Bass

                 Clerk of Caecill County Court unto Mr Christopr Gregory