Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 379

      He is asked to give an account what he knows concerning Lib. H. D.

      Capt Slyes discoursing about her Grace the Dutchess of

      Grafton, who says that the said Capt Slye told him how that

      he had great interest with the Dutchess of Grafton, and

      through her interest he stood fair for the Government if he

      would accept of it, but did not think it worth his while; and

      that he was to have the said Dutchess of Grafton, or words

      to that Effect.

        The said Mr Wattkins made Oath to the above matter be

      fore Capt Thomas Tasker, one of his Majtes Iustices of the

      Provincial Court in prsence of his Exncy and Council, and

      withall does declare that he acquainted his EXnCY therewth vol

      untarily of his own accord—And further says that he recd a

      Letter from the said Capt Slye wherein he has cast

      severall reflections upon his EXnCY and also says that he has p. 628

      heard tht Mr LLewellin Mr Mason and Mr Taylard recd such

      like Letters from the said Slye to the said Effect.

        His Exncy is pleased to Command the Kings Lawyers, in

      his Majtes name, to take out process agt the said Slye, at the

      suite of his Majesty in both the foregoing matters, so soon as

      he shall arrive in this Province and does likewise Order that,

      they make demand off the aforemention'd letters from the

      severall Persons aforenamed, wch if they refuse to deliver

      that then they charge them in his Majtes name not to part

      with them, but have them forth comeing; and that they take

      care to have the parties summoned as Evidence for the King.

        Several persons preferring Petitions to this Board, signify

      ing that Severall Sums of Publick Tobacco were assigned

      and allowed them in St Maries County, during the time of

      Mr John Goods being Sherriff of the sd County wch they know

      not how to come by now the said Good is fledd out of the

      Province; Ordered that the sd matter be referred to his

      Majtes Lawyers for their management, and tht they cause a

      note to be set up at the Court house dore in St Maries

      County to give publick notice to all persons that had any

      publick tobacco assigned them in the said Coods hands (and

      not yet satisfyed) to bring in their accounts thereof sworne

      to before some Magistrate and deliver the same to Geo:

      Plater or George Muschamp Esqrs or Major Willm Dent or

      any of them, who are hereby Ordered to take all due care

      that the same be discharged as fast as can be collected out

      of the Effects of the said Good, and that they proceed therein;

      as also in securing his Majtes Debt due from the said Cood in

      all things according to Law,

        Produced a Letter of Mr Robert Masons directed to Coll

      John Good Dated Decemr 10th 1697. whereby it appears

      there has been private correspondence held betwixt the said