Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 493

     trouble about it: And that since I had the honour to serve P. R. O.

     his Maty in that Stacon, I never received any Tobaccos or

     money as a prsent from the Country. And they have only

     allowed me Ninety six pounds ten shillings for the Rent of a

     House, since I came into this Province. And since I came to

     this place, which is now about 3 years & 1/2. the Country hath

     been at no charge for a Council-Chamber; which they were

     annually at before. For the Council hath allways met in my

     House: And yor Lordps know very well that his Matys

     Governr of Virginy hath 150 lb p Annu for House-Rent: And

     the Country pays 25 lb p Annu for a Council-Chamber. The

     peace, I hope, hath made an End of Or assisting N. York: But

     if it please God, I should be called upon by his Excy the Earl

     of Bellamont; yor Lordps Commands therein shall be obeyed

       What yor Lordps are pleased to write concerning the Bound

     arys between this Province and Pensylvania being layd out:

     I have not been able to perform yor Lordps Commands therein;

     by reason that the Order of Council of the 13th of 9ber. 85.

     made in the late King James his time, was not with yor Lordps

     Duplicat: neither Mr Pen his letter to Col. Markham: For I

     suppose they underwent the fiery tryal in North-Carolina.

       I have heard that my Lord Baltemore was tricked by Mr Pen

     about that order of Council: For, according to my Lords

     Patent, the Boundarys of Maryland are beyond that line.

     Whether yor Lordps will be pleased to examine further into

     that Affair, is not for me the least to dispute.

       No 7 are Copys of several Letters, and other papers, wch I

     rcd from Col. Robert Quarry, as allso one from Mr Moore,

     with a Copy of my Commission for appointing Judge, Advo

     cate, Martial, & Register in this province, Pensylvania, & West-

     Jersey. But with submission to yor Lordps I think that the

     Court of Admiralty, which his Majesty hath ordered to be

     established in Pensylvania, will be of no Use, if the Act which

     was passed lately there, is to be of any Force. And No 8. is a

     Copy thereof, with some Querys which I have prsumed to put

     to it: as allso his Majestys Atturney genrl and Council at Law,

     their Report upon the Last Query; with the Opinion of some

     of his Majestys Council and Provincial Justices thereupon.

       The Form of the sd Law (but I think it doth not deserve so

     sacred a Name) seems to me to be somewhat extraordinary;

     for I don't find that it is enacted by any Body; nor words to

     that Effect: But there is a great pretence of securing his

     Majestys Interest; especially concerning Tobaccos, which I am

     glad to find they own: and that there may be such a thing as

     illegal Trade in that Province. But this with humble Submis

     sion to yr Lordps as allso it seems to me that by the wording

     of that Instrument, no law made in Engid. should be of force