Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 391

       matter, whereof as well as the Sherriff of Somersett County Lib. H. D.

       aforesaid as all other persons concern'd are to take due notice

       and is Ordered accordingly.

        Produced and read a Letter by his Exncy recd from Mr

       ffrancis Iencking of Somrsett County bearing date the 16th of

       ffebry instant, giving account that Mr Layfield still persists on

       the Marrying of his Neece and is resolved to endure the Shock

       of all that can fall &ca giving also a Relation of the accident

       that lately happen'd to his Majestyes Friggot, the Swift in his

       Majestyes Colony of Virginia.

       Maryland Sc                                Lib. X.

        At a Council met and held at the Porte of Annapolis the

       Ninth day of March 1697 & in the Tenth Year of the Reign

       of our Sovereign Lord King William the third &ca

                            Present

              His Excellency Francis Nicholson Esqr

       Captain General &ca

               Sr Thomas Lawrence Bart Secry

               Collo Henry Jowles Chancellor

       the honble Thomas Tench Esqr

               Collonel Iohn Addison

               Thomas Brooke Esqr

        His Excellency is pleased to produce to the Board in

       Writing what he intends to lay before the house of Delegates

       at the opening of the Assembly which was read and well

       approved of as also his Majestys speech to both houses of

       Parliament the Latter part whereof he thinks very Conven

       ient to lay before the house likewise.

        Lawrence Tailors petition of Baltimore County for remit

       tance of of a a Fine read & Granted.

        Produced the Sheriffs of Baltimore Countys return the

       warrant issued against Hans Tilman & Browne with deposi

       tions & Recognizance taken for Brownes appearance at the

       provincial Court to answer &ca Ordered that the said papers

       be delivered to his Majestys Lawyers for prosecution &ca

       Ordered that Inquiry be made of what presents Collo Heman

       took of the Indians & advised that a Law be made to punish

       such persons as take any presents of the Indians in behalf of

       the Government or treat with them without being legally

       Authorized thereunto.

        Produced a Letter by his Excellency received from the

       honble Collo Iohn Courts of the 20th of February last past

       Signifying his Inability to travel through Sickness which p. 2

       Occasions his not giving his attendance at this time.