496 Proceedings of The Council of Maryland, 1696 / 7-98.

          P. R. O.  with their Religions; but finding that they were very imperfect,

               have given new Orders about it, as allso about the sherriffs

               returns relating to those Persons that are imploy'd in places

               of Trust, contrary to the Intent of the Act for preventing

               Frauds &c. and likewise for a more perfect return concerning

               the number of sea-faring men, ships, and vessels. But they

               never having been us'd to such Returns; & most of the Offi

               cers either so very negligent, or not capable; are the reasons

               that I have not been yet able to send them to yor Lordps

                 I hope that their Honrs the Commissioners of his Majestys

               customs, will doe something concerning the Assemblys Ad

               dress to his Majesty for the remission of Forfeits upon Navi

               gacon-Bonds. And then I shall be sure (as yor Lordps

               please to write (that you will take all due care of it, when yt

               comes before yor Lordps (God willing) I intend to send to

               them by one of the next ships; which I suppose, will be within

               a few days, a Copy of the Pensylvanian Act, as allso Copys

               of Col. Quarys Letters; For the Col. told me they had spoken

               to him to give them an Account about the Admiralty &c.

                 According to yor Lordps Commands to me, I shall exert all

               the power I have in the redressing of that evil of taking up

               too large tracts of Land, more than the Grantees are able to

               cultivate. But the soyl in this Province, being my Lord Balti

               more's, I find my self invested with no power from his Majesty

               concerning it. But I shall lay it before the Assembly, and

               endeavour by some Act, or Ordinance in some measure to

               redress that Grievance. But as for preventing it in Virginy;

               I think it may be easily done for the future. When I had the

               honour to serve his Majesty as Lieftenant Governr there, his

               Matys Royal Instructions to the late Lord Effingham then

               chief Governour, which bore date the 9th day of Sber as were

               sent to me; one of which is, vizt. “And whereas we have

               “been informed that the Grant of Or Royal Grandfather of

               “blessed memory heretofore made to that our Colony, to

               “exempt the Planters from paying Quit-rents for the first seven

               “years, did turn to the great prejudice of that Or Colony, and

               that many took occasion thereby to take and create to them

               “selves a title to such quantitys of land, which they never

               “intended to (or in truth could) occupy or cultivate; but thereby

               “only kept out others who would have planted and manured

               “the same: And the late King Charles the 2nd of blessed

               “memory, having therefore by his Instructions given to Sr Wm

               “Berkley, revoked all such Grants, as contrary to the Intention

               “of Or Royal Grandfather, and to the good of our Subjects

               “there: We doe likewise give the same Directions to you; that

               “if any such Grants should still be insisted on, the same be

               “looked on, and taken to be voyd and of none effect: and you