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

        Lib. H. D.  At a Councill met and held at the Port of Annapolis

                  the 21th day of ffebry 1697/8 in the tenth year of

                   his Majesties Reign.

                               Present

           His Exncy ffrancis Nicholson Esqr Capt Genll &ca

                   Sr Thomas Laurence Baront Secry

                            Collo Henry Iowles

                            Edwd Rando1ph Esqr

                  Ordered that a writt of Prorogation be prepared to prorogue

                the Assembly (for the reasons last Councill mention'd until

             p. 632 the eighth day of March next, wch accordingly was done &

                read together wth a Comission or power to swear the Dele

                gates; both wch were by Order referred unto Mr Robt Gouldes

                borough his Majtes Counsell at Law for his perusall & opinion

                thereon.

                  Vpon a question proposed who would be a fitt person to

                be constitued Clerk of the House of Delegates; it is unani

                mously concluded and agreed that Mr Bladen the former

                Clerk will be the most fit and capable person for tht imploy

                and therefore ordered that a Comission be prepared ac

                cordingly to pass the Broad Seale of the Province.

                  Produced and read a Letter by his Exncy recd from Mr Ino

                West Naval Officer of Pocomoke district, bearing date the

                 of December last past relating to severalls—Ordered

                that answer thereto be given in the following particulars

                vizt 1st as to Vessells clearing; That they be cleared as fast

                as got ready, now in time of peace.

                  2nd As to the Sloop Content of Burmudos, Jeremiah

                Smith Mastr The same is contain'd in Major Kings List of

                Shipping.

                  3d As to the dispute about 18 foot boats being quallified

                for Navigation pursuant to Act of Assembly the same seems

                to be rather a jest then matter of Law; therefore he is to take

                good care.

                  4thly As to that about the Porke—He must take care to

                pursue the Law.

                  5thly As to that about Rum & Suger being prohibitted

                from England This Board know nothing of it nor the

                meaning thereof.

                  6thly As to the New England man;—He is not to be per

                mitted to carry tobacco to Newfound Land; but may Provi

                sion. Produced and read a Letter by his Exncy recd from

                W John George of Boston, Dated 27th of Decemr last past,

                signifying his late recept of a Commission from the Prize

                Office, Superseeding a Comission formerly granted unto

                Mr Peter Ienings to receive the Kings fifth part of prizec in