Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 95

            By his Exncy the Governr May the 16th 1697. Lib. H. D.

      furt?er Ordr Ordered tht if in Case Capt John Hance Can

      to Capt Hans   .

      abt the not timely procure the Indians (to wch he is directed

              to goe) to Come down with him so tht they may p. 482

              be here at the Port of Annapolis by the the 5th or

      sixth of June next at ifarthest that then he give them Notice

      not to come at prsent, but tell them that against the next

      Sessions, they shall have Earlier Intelligence whereby they

      may better fit themselves for their Journey, Yet notwithstanding

      ing that he be sure to Come himself according to time

      appointed.

       It being Represented that there are Some Ships still left

      behind in the Country His Exncy is pleasd to ask Mr Plater

      what number there might be of them and in what Readiness

      they were and what Occasion'd their not getting Ready to

      goe with the ffleet & whether they had met with any obstruct

      tions in the Countrey.

      Justices of the The rest of the Gentl. prsent were also asked to

      Provll Court  .  .  .

      & Grand Juries give their Opinion and advice what is best to be

      the Ships left done whether to keep them to goe in Company

      behind the     together, or leave them to their own liberty

      ffleetWhereupon the sd matter being duly Consulted

      and Debated, and being found tht there are not above 5: or 6:

      Ships remaining in the Countrey that Came in with the ffleet

      beleiving they are now nigh loaden, It is therefore the

      Unanimous Opinion of the Genti. Present that it will be most

      to his Mats Service, and benefit of the merchants and Ownrs

      &ca That the sd Ships be left to their own liberty to Sayle

      more especially Considering they are but few & Ships of no

      great Countenance and as to the Questions put about the

      Reasons of their Stay, they all make answer that they can

      blame none but themselves and doe believe that their Stay

      has proceeded from Nothing but want of getting their Tobo

      on Board.

      Ships left be- Ordered therefore that the sd Ships so left be

      hind Order'd

      to be clear'd hind be permitted to Sayle as they get Ready and

      as got ready that the Collrs and Navll Officers take Notice

      thereof and Conform themselves accordingly.

       Ordered that all the foregoing Proceedings be laid before

      the Grand Inquest of this Province for their Opinion thereon

      to be given, and that they make Report accordingly with all

      Convenient Speed, the which came Returned Indorsed as

      followes Vizt