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

           Lib. H. D.By his Exncy the Capt Genll &ca

                                 A

                              Proclamation

                              Maryland ss.

                             Whereas in a late Iourney to the Garrison at

                 Potomock I tooke a particular occasion to inform my selfe

                 from the Iustices Grand Iury and severall others of the Inhab

                 itants of Prince Georges County at their last Court held for

                 the said County whether the additional Rangers lately raised

                 for defence & security of those ffrontiers & Garrison were

                 (for his Majtes Service) necessary to be continued; And it

                 being made apparent unto to by their severall returnes &

                 answers how tht they live in continued dread & fear (so long

                 as the Piscattoway Indians keep out) if it were not for those

                 additional Rangers on whome their present security depends

                 And forasmuch as it is not known how soon the Countrey

                 may be attackt by Indians; tho' ‘tis hoped the winter setting

                 in so early may prevent their doing any mischief at present;

                 yet tht the Countrey may not be unprovided of good store of

                 ammunition of Powder & ball agt such accidents or occasion;

                 I have thought fit (by and with the advice of his Majtes

                 Honoble Councill) to issue this my Proclamation, therein

                 strictly prohibiting & forwarning the Exportation of all

                 manner of ammunition of powder and Ball imported here for

                 Sale And I do hereby further strictly forwarn & prohibit all

                 Merchants Traders and other persons whatsoever (trading in

                 or belonging to this his Majesties Province) from selling or

                 disposing of any amunition of Powder or ball as aforesd unto

                 any person whatsoever without taking good security of the

                 party or parties purchasers that the same shall not be exported

                 into any other Colony Province or Government under pain of

                 being prossecuted according to the utmost severity of the law

                 for contempt And for the better preventing the exportation of

                 any such amunition I do by and with the advice aforesaid

                 give full power & authority to all Officers Military & Civill

                 and all other his Majtes leige people within this Province to

                 seize and secure all manner of ammunition of powder or ball

                 as they shall discover or meet with in the way of Exportation;

                 But if the party making such seizure be not an officer that

                 then he forthwith carry the Goods so seized to the next adjacent

                 officer either Military or Civill, who is to take charge of the

                 same and forthwith send me an account thereof that such

                 proper course may theirin be taken as is fitting. And for the

                 pains, care and trouble of the party or parties making such

                 seizure as aforesd I do hereby promise a suitable reward.

                 And to the end due notice hereof may be given, I do straitly