Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696 / 7—9 8. 357

   the said Collo Robothams filling up; who is hereby likewise Lib. H. D.

   Empowered and Authorized to administer the Oath appointed

   by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of

   Allegiance and Supremacie unto the said person he shall so

   recommend & appoint, and the Oath of Trade & Navigation

   herewith likewise sent, and that the sd Collo Robotham do in

   like manner Administer the aforementioned Oaths unto Mr

   Thomas Collyer now constituted Collector of the aforesaid

   Port; and that the Test be tender'd them to be subscribed to,

   being likewise directed to take Bond from each of them wth

   good Security for the due & faithfull discharge of their

   respective places, according to the form herewith sent.

     His Exncy is pleased to direct the Honoble Edwd Randolph

   Esqr for to write to the Rtt Honoble the Comissrs of his Majtes

   Customes desiring them to send Deputations to the Persons

   by him now Commissionated and that an Addition might be

   made to their Sallaries to enable them to keep Boat and

   hands.

     His EXnCY is pleased to signify that the Rtt Honoble the

   Comissrs of his Majtes Customes have according to his request p. 6i8

   sent in two dozen of Bookes of Rates and two dozen of late

   Acts of Parliament for preventing frauds and Regulating

   abuses in the Plantation Trade; wch are directed to be disposed

   off as follows; Vizt One of a Sort to be lodged among the

   Councill Records, for the use of the Governr and his Majtes

   Honoble Councill, the like to be lodged wth the Clerk of the

   Provinciall Court & every County Court of this Province; as

   as also wth each Collector & Navall Officer.

     Ordered that the severall Acts of Trade contain'd in the

   Book of Rates & late Act of Parliament for preventing

   frauds and Regulating abuses in the Plantation trade be read

   twice every year in every County Court of this Province.

                  Ianry the 3d 1697/8.

     The Honoble Edwd Randolph Esqr Surveyor Genll of his

   Majtes Customs on the Continent of America &ca producing

   a Comissn by him granted unto Mr Robt Dacres for being

   Surveyor & Searcher of his Majtes Customes in Somersett

   County including Nanticoke River, bearing date this day,was

   Read before his Exncy in presence of the Honoble Sr Thomas

   Laurence Barontt Secry and Coll Henry Iowles & approved

   off; & the sd Mr Dacres being present, administered unto him

   the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead

   of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy; as also the Oaths

   of Trade and Navigation and Subscribed to the Test.