Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 361

      Honoble Comissrs of his Majesties Customs in London bearing Lib. fi. D.

      date the 13th day of Octobr 1691.

       And in pursuance likewise of Additional articles of Instruc

      tions from their Honors dated at the Custom house at London

      the 22nd of Septemr 1697. Directing me amongst other things

      that in case of any vacancy of any Officer of the Customs

      or otherwise to appoint some fitt and able person to serve

      therein giving notice thereof for their Honors directions therein.

      And finding a Vacancy of an Officer of the Customs in the

      Rivers Bays Creeks and Harbours in Somrsett County & in

      the River of Nanticoke on the Eastern Shoare of the Province

      of Maryland by the death of John Dashield appointed by

      Deputation from the Comissrs of his Majtes Customs to be

      Surveyor of his Majtes Customs in the sd Rivers, Bays, Creeks,

      and Harbours. I doe hereby constitute and appoint you the

      said Robert Dacres to be Surveyor & Searcher of his Majtes

      Customs in Somersett County including also Nanticoke River

      & the Creeks thereunto belonging on the Eastern Shoare of

      the Province aforesaid with full power to enter into any Ship

      Bottom Boat or other vessell, as also into any Shop house

      Warehouse Hostry or other place whatsoever to make dilli

      gent search into any Trunk Chest, pack, Case, Truss or any

      other parcell or package wtsoever for any Goods, Wares or

      Merchandizes whatsoever prohibited to be imported or

      exported or whereof the Custome or dutyes, have not been

      duly paid, and the same to seize for his Majtes use, and also to

      putt in Execution all other lawfull powers & authorities for p. 167

      the better manageing & collecting the said Dutyes in all

      things as the law directs, following & observing all such

      Rules and Instructions as you shall from time to time receive

      from the Comissrs of his Majtes Customs in England, or from

      the Comissrs of his Majtes Customs for the time being. Given

      under my hand and Seale of Office At the Port of Annapolis

      this third day of Ianuary in the ninth year of his Majtes Reigne

      Annoq Domini 1697/8 Edwd Randolph Survr Genll

      Part of Esqr I have at last recd the Accompt from Mr Plater,

      Poveys Letter to his Exncy wth Duplicates, & one from Mr Muschamp wherein

      concerning they both discharge themselves of the  part of

      the Revenue      d

              the 12s p hh by your Exncys Ordr to remitt the same

      to England for buying of Arms. But it doth not appear that

      they have complyed therewth nor how the Money has been dis

      posed of here, or that any Arms have been received there for

      it; Or that it hath been otherwise disposed off, to the Fortifica

      tions, Brestworks &ca if there be any. So tht their Vouchers

      are both imperfect as to tht part; Of wch I give them notice.

      Nor is there any account or Authentick Copy of the other