Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 375

     Lords Iustices of England, wherein they are said to be Lib. H. D.

     wittnesses to attest the truth thereof, upon wch account they

     were now summoned and therefore did require that they

     would answer severally upon their Oaths what they had to

     say in every of the said articles.

      Articles of Charge agt ffrancis Nicholson Governr of Mary

     land &ca

       He intercepts and causes to be intercepted packetts

     and Letters directed to persons in Maryland and Virginia and

     elsewhere to the great prejudice of those concern'd.

      Mrs Mary Vanswaringhen, Mr George Plater, Mr Samll

     Wattkins & Henry Denton Wittnesses Nominated to attest

     the sd Article were called and severally sworn before the

     Honord Thomas Tasker Esqr one of his Majtes lustices of the

     Provincial Court in presence of his Majtes Honoble Councill, to

     declare what they knew as to the said Article, wch was

     deliberately and distinctly read unto them; who upon their

     Oaths do severally say They know of nothing wherein they

     can charge his Exncy the Governr with any such thing But

     Mrs Vanswaringhen says she once rec'd a Letter for Capt

     Cood, wch Capt Slye took from her and would not let her have

     it againe, thô he promised upon the word of a Gentleman to

     Return it to her, She faithfully promising to gett it safely

     convey'd to him the said Cood. Henry Denton saith that his

     Exncy has been so farr from intercepting of Letters that he

     has at all times used his utmost Endeavour & care in Order

     ing the quick and speedy dispatch of all Letters to the

     severall prsons to whom directed.

      Mr Sam” Watkins saith that Capt SIye & he went on Board

     the Shipp Globe (Capt Harriss Comander) at her first arrivall

     in Patuxent River last year, where they met wth Mr Plater & p. 625

     some other persons on board; after some discourse passed

     Capt SIye asked Capt Harriss for his List of Letters, who told

     him he had no list, but would shew him what he had, where

     upon after perusall of the same, the sd Capt Slye took a

     packett directed for his Exncy Sr Edmund Andros his Majtes

     Governr of Virginia, another for the Comodore then in

     Virginia, according to the best of his remembrance, and

     severall others directed for persons in Potomock, WCh the sd

     Slye undertook to gett safely conveyed as directed.

      George Plater Esqr does also attest the same, and says he

     told Capt Slye there was an Ordinance of Assembly for taking

     care of Letters therefore willed him to see those Letters wch

     he took should be all sent away and deliver'd.

      5th Article read, Vizt He hath often by an Arbitrary &

     Military power seiz'd mens Estates & Writings

      Mr Samll Cooksey, Mr James Crauford, John Shanks