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

       Lib. H. D. Severall masters of Ships, Merchts and Traders attending

             Came & were admitted, Vizt

                  Capt Danll Bradley Mr Hen: Robinson

                  Capt Dean Cock     Mr Wm Scott

                  Capt Bartho Whithorn    Coll: Hen: Darnall

                  Capt Owen Phillips Majr John Hamond

                  Capt Jerem. Deeble Mr Charles Carroll

                  Capt James Brains  Mr Orlando Greenslade

                  Capt Thomas Lurting     Mr Thomas Hastwell

                  Capt Thomas Wills  Majr Edward Dorsey

                  Capt Josiah Clifton     Mr Samll Chew

              His Exncys The Masters are asked by his Exncy whether

               Comunicacon with the they were ready to Saile with Capt Daniell pur

             Masters of suant to the Cornodores Letter which it is sup

             Ships abt their Sayling &ca posed they have all seen who doe say that they

                     have all seen the Letter and that they cannot be

             ready to sail with the sd Capt Daniell by the time prefixt him

         p.  by the Cornodore, thereupon his Exncy is pleased to ask them

             the Reason why they are not ready who all of them do say

             that if it had not been for the ffrost Snow and Extream bad

             weather they should most or all of them have been ready by

             this time and withall do affirm that since the Receipt of the

             Comodores Letter (which was the ffirst of this Instant ffebruary)

             there has been no weather, fit for rowling Tobo or doing any

             manner of Work the which Capt Daniell does likewise avouch

             and Affirm. His Exncy is pleased to put the Question to the

             Ancient Livers in the Countrey (now prsent) whether they

             had Ever known so severe a Winter to hold so long for the

             time as this has done and so much Snow to fall & Remain

             on the Earth so long together in this Countrey who do say

             as also the Master that have Used the Countrey these many

             Years tht they have never seen the like as to the Constancy

             of bad weather adding that some of them have had their

             Sloopes and Shallops out upon ifetching Tobo for 10: 12 &

             14: weeks together which could not Return by Reason of the

             ifrost and that Severall of their men have in their remaining

             out been great Sufferers & ffrost bitten and some have lost

             their Sloopes and Shallops &ca

               Capt Daniell is asked if he has anything to propose or Offer

             to the Masters who does Say that he has nothing to Offer or

             propose Save to know of them what time they think they

             may be ready to Sail who doe Say that they don't question

             but that all of them may be ready to Sail and be down with

             the Comodore by the middle of Aprill but don't see how they

             can be ready sooner.

               His Exncy is pleased to ask the Severall Masters in Generall