Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 387

                 ffebry the 23d 1697/8         Lib. H. D.

   The Council again sate and were present as before.

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

   West Naval Officer of Pocomoke district; signifying his rect of

   a Letter from the Honoble Edward Randolph Esqr dated 30th

   December 1697. Concerning two vessells Loading Tobacco

   in that district, whereof his Honor signifyed there was cause

   of suspicion, therefore sent both their Certificates for exami

   nation &ca which were also produced and compared with the

   Comissioners hands in other papers; but upon strict view and

   Examination the said Esqr Randolph was thoroughly satisfyed

   in the Legality of the same.

     Upon motion of Capt Willm Cooper Comander of the

   Ieofferyes, the following warrant was ordered to issue Vizt

     By his Exncy the Governr and Council ffebry 23d 1697/8

   Whereas complaint and application hath this day been made

   unto this Board by Capt Willm Cooper Comander of the Shipp

   Ieofferyes Riding in Seavorn River; concerning some Goods

   (belonging to Mr Iohn Sheffield Merchant) suspected to be

   feloniously taken from a board a Shallop of his, now lying

   sunck at Popleys Island, the wch a couple of Capt Coopers

   Seamen Vizt Isaac Hammerton and Walter Needham had

   been imployed by the said Mr Sheffield to bring round from

   Patuxent to West River about a fortnight or three weeks

   agoe; but through stress of weather were cast on Shore

   Coll0 Lowes Island where the men got safe to Land; but the

   Goods and Shallop afterwards driven away, and the Shallop

   found at the place and in the Condition before expressed

   without the Goods.

     These are therefore in his Majestyes name to authorize &

   impower the aforenamed Isaac Hammerton & Walter Need-

   ham in the presence of a Constable (or other Officer) to make

   search in any suspected place or places in or about the said

   Popleys Island, Plantation or Houses or in any other suspected

   part or place on the Eastern or Western Shore; as also to

   examine & search any Sloop, Shallop, Boat or other Vessell

   or bottom within this Province; and (if occasion) to break

   open any Lock, dore, Truss, parcell or package, where they p. 635

   shall reasonably suspect the said Goods to lye hid; and if to

   be found, the said two men and Officer are hereby Required

   to take into custody the party or parties in whose possession

   the said Goods or any of them shall be found, and them safely

   convey and carry before the next Magistrate or lustice of the

   peace in Order to be dealt withall according to law; And all

   Sherriffs, under Sherriffs, Constables and others Officers with

   in this his Majesties Province are (upon application of the

   said Hammerton and Needham) strictly required to be aiding