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

        Lib. H. D.     these parts may be Obliged to Stay till all the Ships Coming

              into this Province can be got ready to Joyn the ffieet in

              Virga or that a particular Convoy be appointed for this Province

              without which it is morally impossible that the Ships Trading

              here should be Capable of getting Ready so soon as the Ships

              in Virga for the Reasons assigned especially when such

              weather happens as has done this winter.

                The honble Coll: George Robotham having had the prusall of

              the fforegoing Proceedings does well approve off and Agree to

              the same.

              By his Exncy the Governr & Councill    ffebry 21th 1696/7

              Ordr abt  Vpon the Receipt of a Letter this day from the

              forwarding the

              dispatch of honrble Capt Charles Wager Comodore of the

              the ffleet &ca Virga and Maryland ffleet unto his Exncy sent

              and directed as also another directed unto the Com

              manders of the Severall Mercht Ships in the severall Rivers

              of Maryland both dated the 16th of this instant ffebruary

              which Came by Express thereby Signifying his having pro

              long'd the time of Capt Daniells Sayling hence until the 25th

              day of march next &ca By which time it is hoped the greatest

              part of the Ships here may be ready to goe with him to joyn

              the Comodore in Virga Ordered therefore as it is hereby

              Ordered that all imaginable assistance be given by the People

              of this Governmt in forwarding their dispatch accordingly

              Comanding all Officers Military & Civill to Aid and Assist

              them therein and that the Coopers do more Especially take

              Care that there be no defect on their side for want of Cask

              hereby declaring tht whosoever shall be found to obstruct &

              hinder any of the Ships now lying in the Province in their

              dispatch out must Expect (upon Complaint made) to be

              prsecuted according to the Utmost Severity of the Law.

              Ships not to be And the Sherriffs are to give further Notice to

               all the Masters Merchts and Traders in generall

              March that such Ships as cannot now be got ready to

              sail with Capt Daniell by the sd 25th day of march must not be

              permitted to goe until further Ordr recd: from his Exncy and

              Councill appointed to Sitt at the meeting of the Provll Court

              in May next whereof the Several Collrs and Navall Officers

              are to take due Notice and to take Bond of Such as doe get

              ready for performance of the Severall Matters Contain'd in a

              former Ordr of Councill dated the 14th of December last past

          P• 459  touching the ffleets making up at Petuxant &ca however the

              Sherriffs are notwithstanding hereby Commanded to shew