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

            Lib. H. D. Sherriffs for the speedy collection of the severall Suffis of

                   tobacco &ca by Act of Assembly due from publick Officers

                   whereby they may be capable to render an Account thereof to

                   the Assembly, by reason the same will then be wanted. But

                   in case of Sickness of the said Treasurers or disability to travell,

                   tht then the Treasurer of the Eastern Shore make Oath to his

                   accounts before the Honoble Collo George Robotham, and the

                   Treasurer of the western Shore before the Honoble Henry

                   Lowe Esqr and transmitt the same to be laid before the

                   Assembly accordingly.

                     Ordered that the Collector of each district within this

                   Province prepare their severall accounts & Lists of Shipping

                   ready and be here with the same at the Port of Annapolis

                   about tenn dayes after the beginning of the Assembly

                   appointed to meet the 23d day of ffebry next in Order to make

                   Oath thereto, whereof they are in no wise to faile.

                p.     624 Ordered that the Navall Officers of this Province prepare

                   their severall accounts and Lists of Shipping ready & be here

                   with the Same at the opening of the Assembly appointed to

                   meet at the Port of Annapolis the 23d day of ffebry next in

                   Order to make Oath thereto, whereto they are in no wise

                   to faile.

                     His Exncy delivers to George Plater & George Muschamp

                   Esqrs Receivers of his Majesties Revenues within this Prov

                   ince a Letter to each of them inclosed in one of his own recd

                   from the Honoble John Povey Esqr one of the Clerks of his

                   Majtes most Honoble privy Councill; part of wch sd Letter to his

                   Exncy bearing date the 21st day of October last past, relating

                   to the Revenue was read to the said Mr Plater & Mr Mus

                   champ and was Ordered to be Recorded and Copy thereof to

                   be delivered to each of thm

                     Produced and Read a Letter from Mr Philip Clarke unto

                   his Exncy sent & directed, bearing date the 10th instant, as also

                   another from Mr George Lingan, bearing date this day,

                   whereby they both excuse themselves from giveing their

                   attendance, pursuant to summons, being disabled to travell

                   through Sickness.

                     The rest of the persons summoned were called over and

                       accordingly appeared Kenelm Cheseldyn Esqr Mr Plater, Mr

                       Muschamp, Major William Dent, Mr Wattkins, Mr Cloud, Mr

                       Cooksey, Mr Husbands, Mrs Vanswaringen, John Shanks, and

                       Notley Maddox.

                   • His EXDCY is pleased ty tell them that he. had a matter to

                   impart to thm which did not only concern himselfe, but the

                       Creditt and reputation of the whole Countrey Being some

                   complaints made by one Mr Gerrard Slye, form'd into severall

                   Articles of charge against him & laid before their Exncys the