Appendix to Council Proceedings, 1696/7-98. 551

       therefore can do no more save truly to represent the whole P. R. O.

       affair to their sacred Mates

                                I am Sir

                  your Excies humble servant

                         Fr. Nicholson

         Govr New York.

                      [Illegal Trading.]

         After Our very hearty comendation complaint having been

       made to their Majties by the merchants trading to Virginia and

       Maryland that their Trade is in a great measure destroyed

       and ruined by many ships trading directly from Scotland and

       Ireland to Virginia Maryland and Pensilvania and from thence

       back to the said places without paying their Majs dues, to the

       undervaluing Trade to all such fair Traders who observe the

       Act of Navigation For the prevention as much as may be of

       such illegal Trade for the future We have received their Majs

       Commands and accordingly we do hereby signify their Majs

       Royal will and pleasure unto you that you cause one or more

       small vessels of about forty tun each to be hired, with skilfull

       Comanders in those parts for whom you will be answerable

       and to appoint them to cruise upon the costs of Maryland and

       Pensilvania with power to examine all ships trading to and

       from those parts and to inspect the clearings of the said ships

       in the Collectors Books in order to the discovery of forged

       Cocquets & Certificats And for the defraying the charge of

       such vessels and encouragement of the Commander or Com

       manders thereof You are hereby authorized and empowered

       to dispose of their Majs third part of the forfeitures upon the

       Acts of Trade and Navigation and the Penalties recovered on

       forfeited bonds within your Government in such manner as

       you shall find most conducing to their Majs service herein

       And for the better guidance of the Comander or Comanders

       of such vessels as shall be employed in this Province, you will

       herewith receive the draught of Instructions which you are to

       give unto them, and you are from time to time and as often

       as you shall see convenient to take an acct from the Comander,

       or Coflianders of such vessels of their proceedings in the

       execution of their Instructions to the intent that under colour

       of executing the power and directions which shall be thereby

       given unto them, they do not molest and hinder the legall

       prosecution of Trade in those parts as well to the prejudice of

       their Majs Revenue here, as of their Majs subjects in the Plan

       tations and soe We bid you very heartily farewell From the

       Treasury Chamber at Whitehall the 15th day of November

       1694 in the 6th year of their Majesties' reign

                   Your very loving Friends.