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

             Lib. x.            March the 30th 1698

                   The Council again Sate & were present as Yesterday

                   It being presented to his Excellency and this Board by

                 David Kenneday Esqr his Majestys Collector of the District

                 of Pocomoke that his Majestys service is much prejudiced

                 for want of a warrant of Assistance to Empower him to press

                 men & Horses for that whilst he is a Going to a Iustice of

                 the peace perhaps Ten or Twelve Miles from the place where

                 he has Occasion for assistance the Traders may take Liberty

                 to run what Goods they please in the Interim therefore

                 prOposes that it may be Settled what each man & Horse so

                 pressed shall be allowed p Diem

                   That he finds great Difficulty in Searching of Ships &

                 Inspecting of Good Imported on Board the said Ships So

                 that it is Morally Impossible to his Duty thoroughly as he

              p. 17    Ought by reason of the Narrowness & Darkness Of the Ships

                 holds therefore Conceives it absolutely necessary that houses

                 may be appointed in the most Convenient places for Shipping

                 within his District where Goods & Merchandizes may be

                 landed & duly Inspected to preyt Frauds & the designs of

                 false Traders

                   Which said Representation being here read and con

                 sidered as to the first part thereof it is referred to his

                 Majestys Lawyers to Consult & make Report what sort

                 of warrant Shall be Granted

                   And as to the other part it is thought Adviseable that

                 Application be made to the right Honble the Lords Commsrs

                 of his Majestys Customs

                           March the 31st 1698

                   The Council again Sate & were present as Yesterday

                   Produced & read a Letter by his Excellency rec'd from the

                 Lords Commissioners of his Majesty Customs dated the 30th

                 of December 1697 that the Bark Mermaid having a Mermaid

                 in her Stern John Rogers Masr is bound for Maryland &Ca

                 Ordered that Copys of the same be sent to the several

                 Collectors and Naval Officers together with Copys a Letter

                 sent from the said Commissioners Unto the honble Edward

                 Randolph Esqr Surveyor General Dated the 9th of December

                 1697 Concerning some New England Vessels Intended really

                 for the Natives of Scotland though Colourably registered in

                 the Plantations

                   David Kenneday Esqr Collector of pocomoke District being

                 present & had Copys of the said two Lettrs delivered him at

                 the Board & was directed to give Copys of the same to Mr

                 West Naval Officer.