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

         Lib. x.         Maryland Port of Annapolis Feby 19th 1697

              Sir

                This day was read in Council here a Letter by me received

              from Collo Iennings dated the 24th of January past together

              with a warrant under your Excellencys hand & Seal for

              apprehending Coll” John Cood & upon consideration thereon

              had it is thought Expedient for his Majestys Service that you

              would please to send one of the said Warrants to the Sheriff

              of each County within your Government with Directions &

              orders to the Sheriff that apprehends him for to deliver him

              up to the next Iustice of peace in this Government either on

         p. 120     the eastern or Western Shore Where he shall be taken to the

              end he may be proceeded against according to Law & that

              you likewise would give notice to all masters of Ships within

              your Governmt that they presume not to take on Board &

              convey away the said John Cood whereby he may escape

              unpunished for such his enormous crime & likewise defraud

              his Majesty of the debt claimed from him which appears by

              the proceedings in my last Letter to your Excellency Inclosed

                The afore matters being thought of absolute necessity for

              his Majestys Service to be done occasions thus much from

                    Your Excellencys humble Servt

                Govr of Virginia       Fra Nicholson

                     Annapolis July the 2d 1698

              Sr

                Inclosed I have Sent a Copy of a former Letter of mine to

              your Excellency two presentments by the Grand July of this

              province one of Mr John Coud Senr & the other of Mr Gerard

              Sly together with a Deposition sworn to by George Muschamp

              Esqr relating to them also have Sent your Excellency a Copy

              of a warrant lately issued from the Council Board here for the

              apprehending the aforesaid Cood & Sly, Robert Mason, Philip

              Clark, Sa& Cooksey & Wm Harpam for such Reasons as in

              the said Warrant are Expressed

              Sr

                Likewise I send you a Copy of a Deposition sworn to by

              Collo Henry Mitchel of Calvert County & part of a Letter

              written by Sly to Mr Samuel Watkins of Putuxent which seem

          p. 121    to insinuate that they are Countenanced & Protected by your

              Government, every one much Admiring Mr Cood should

              appear so publickly in Virginia & not be secured if any direc

              tions given or care taken therein further I have sent your

              Excellency the opinion of his Majestys Lawyers here upon