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

          P. R. O.   plices, ways, and means, get my Lord his Government again.

                And I think they would either be Governrs them selves, or

                have such an one as they might rule. For I have observed

                that the people in these parts are not much for having their

                Governr to be a Native: and a great many of them are pre

                tenders. But whether this be for his Matys. Service, or the

                Interest of Englg in point of Trade &c. Yor Lordps can very

                well determine. But with humble submission to yor Lordps I

                think there is odds on Nature's side, that they will much rather

                act to the Contrary.

                  I am allmost morally assured, that when it pleaseth God,

                there shall come an Account that his Majesty will keep the

                Government; there will be an end of all these Desturbances.

                In the Interim I hope in God, that as I have hitherto been

                able: so shall continue to preserve this his Majesty's Govern

                ment, according to his Majestys Royal Commission and

                Instructions, & yor Lordps maugre all its Enimys, both pub-

                lick & private.

                  With humble Submission to yor Lordps I can without

                vanity, and with a great deal of truth affirm, that I have had

                a continual very troublesome and chargeable Government in

                all Respects. For I don't look upon any thing I have done;

                but as it was my bounden Duty to his Majesty: and am

                heartily sorry that I have not been able to doe more for his

                Majestys Service: but I'm sure the reason is not for want of a

                willing heart.

                  By Sr Thomas Laurence I sent yor Lordps as exact an

                Account as I could then get of all the Moneys given for pub-

                lick uses; and how the same has been from time to time

                expended & layd out. And I hope yr Lordps will pardon me,

                that you had not them before, nor then so complete; having

                very few proper and useful Toois to work wth all: For I am

                not only to give Orders to the several officers, both principal

                and inferiour; but to see them execute them; and may be, give

                them directions therein. And I hope that no other of his

                Matys Governours are under the like unhappy Circumstances.

                But No 5 is George Plater Esqr &c. his Account, which is

                more full than that which I sent yor Lordps by Sr Thomas.

                And No 6 is George Muschamp Esqr big Account &c. And

                for the future (God willing) yor Lordps shall have them con

                stantly sent, & in ruled paper, according to yor Lordps Orders;

                having given them directions for so doing.

                  I humbly beg leave to observe to yr Lordps that the several

                Sums in the Accounts, which were pd. to me, were for having

                payd the same by a few bills of Exchange; which are repayed

                in several small ones: and that I was out of my money some

                time, that I had not the least Interest; but some charge and