Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 329

    Seizure & prossecution to be made thereof and lett us hear Lib. H. D.

    of your proceedings We are

               Sr Yor very humble Servants

                              H Hobart

    Custom house London      Sam” Clarke

30th Decemr 1697                   Ben: Overton

                                  Jo:  Austen

                                  Robt Henly

    Governr of Maryland.

              The above Letter was directed

    For his Excellency

    Collonll ffrancis Nicholson

                     Govr of Maryland

                   For his Mats Service

    A Letter of Mr Randolph                     177

    Caution from              d

    the Comrs          Having rec Information that there

    the Customs are severall Shipps now built & building In New

    to Esqr Ran- England Virginia & Maryland intended really for

    cerning Registering of Shipps the Natives of Scotland though Colourably to be

       &c   Registred in the Respective Plantations and that

            these Ships are to Load wthout Giving Bond at

    all, Or that Insolvent persons are to be imposed upon the

    Officers for securityes We direct you to have a perticular eye

    & reguard to any practices of this kind and take care that all

    Ships be duly Registered according to the Provision in the

    late Act of Parliament. And that the Officers be cautioned

    to take none for Security for Masters but prsons of Sufficiency

    & Value and Inhabitants on the place We rest

    Custom house London    Yor Loving ifriends

    9th Decr 1697          Walter Younge

                           C Godolphin

                           Sam Clarke

                           Ben: Overton

                           Jo: Austen

    Virgina                Robt Henley

              The above Letter was directed.

    For Edwd Randolph, Esq. Survr Genll of his Majtes Customs

             In England For his Mats Service