Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 33

       and Offer all the foregoing proceedings for the Severall Lib. H. D.

       prsons opinions thereon to be given in manner and fform as

       thereby they are directed whereof they are in no wise to fail

       at their perill and that afterwards they make due Return of

       the same unto his Exncy together with what other Papers were

       before sent them to Offer unto the Justices and Grand Juries

       Vizt the masters Peticon and paper about the Privateer (if not

       already sent) by an Express; His Exncy hoping to give no

       further trouble about these matters.

       Present at passing and making the aforesd Ordr Vizt

        His Exncy ffrancis Nicholson Esq Capt Genll &ca

               Sr Thomas Laurence Baront Secryr

                 Coll:     Henry Jowles

                 Coll:     George Robotham

         The Comodores Letter to the Severall masters of Ships,

       together with an abstract of what he sent unto his Exncy fol

       lowes in these words Vizt

       The Como- Whereas I am inform'd by Severall Letters from

       dores Lre to

       the Severall Maryland that the Winter has been so hard that it

       Masters of has been impossible for Ships to Load and that

       Ships abt

      longer time,    they cannot be ready for the ffirst of March I doe

               hereby Give notice that notwithstanding any

       former Ordr I will prolong the time of Saying as much as

       possible, believing it for his Mats Service as well as the Benefit of

       Trade that no Ship may loose the Benefit of this prsent Con

       voy to which purpose I have Ordered Capt Daniell to Con

       tinue in Maryland till the 25th of March by which time I hope

       all Ships there will be ready to sail with him to Joyne the

       Rest of the ffieet at Kicquatan; from which place I do pur

       pose to sail God willing the ffirst day of Aprill next.

                                       Cha:    Wager

       Dated on Board his Mats Ship

      the Greenwich in York River ffebry 16th 1696/7.

              Directed as followes Vizt

                 On his Mats Service.

         To the Comandrs of the Severall Mercht Ships in the Sevrall

       Rivrs of Maryland.

         An Abstract of the Coinodores Letter to his Exncy Vizt

       That their Longer Stay will occasion much difficulty, by

       Reason of want of Provision, which he believes they will find

       hard to be got there that he will prolong the time as farr as

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