Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 355

   that they have been encouraged to this boldness by the easie Lib. H. D.

   admittance they have found into his Majesties Colonies and

   Plantations in America where some of them have either been

   protected, or were not enquired after, as ought to have been

   done, in order to bringing them to punishment; His Majtye

   has Comanded me, to signifye his express pleasure to the

   respective Governours of the Colonyes aforesaid, that they use

   their utmost diligence & strictly enjoyne the same to all

   Officers under their Comand, that due care be taken within

   the Limits of their severall Jurisdictions, To arrest seize &

   secure the Shipps, Persons and Effects of all such Pyrates and

   Sea Rovers, as also that a true and exact Inventory be made

   of all Money, Plate, Iewells, Goods, or other Effects whatso

   ever brought in by or any way belonging to the said Pyrates,

   the same to be signed and attested by propper Officers, and

   that an account thereof, and of your proceedings herein be,

   by the first opportunity transmitted to his Majesty by the

   hands of one of his Principall Secretaryes of State, to the end,

   that such further directions may be sent you, as his Majesty

   shall think necessary, all which you are therefore carefully to

   observe, and in each particular to conforme your selfe to his

   Majestyes pleasure accordingly.

                          I am

                           Sr

                          Your most humble Servant

                                Shrewsbury.

     The above Letter was directed Vizt

          To his Exncy Francis Nicholson Esqr

                  Governr of Maryland

                   or in his absence

           To the Governr for the time being

                          In Maryland

     At a Councill held at the Port of Annapolis the 30th day of

   December 1697. In the ninth year of his Majestyes Reign.

                        Present

        His Exncy ffrancis Nicholson Esqr Capt Genll &Ca

             Sr Thoms Laurence Baronts Secry

                   Collo Henry Iowles

                  Edward Randolph Esqr

     Produced by the Honoble Edwd Randolph Esqr Surveyr

   Genrll of his MajtYs Customes on the Continent of America &