Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1702.     119

     Dangerous Conjuncture of an impeding war lays Before the       Lib. X.

     Board a Letter from Mr Micajah Perry an Emminent Mercht

     in London dated thence the 24th of Jany 1701 & two others

     the one from Captain Thomas Wharton & the other from

     Capt John Hyde of as late dates

      Which said Letters give Accot of a good Convoy intended

     to fetch home the Virginia & Maryland Fleets which Convoy

     was to sail the first of March last but in Regard a Vessel

     arrived the last week which sailed from England the tenth of

     March aforesaid & gave account that he was not certainly

     assured when the said Convoy might be expected thereupon

     & in respect of the various Opinions of the said Mr Perry

     Capt Hyde & Captain Wharton his Excellency was pleased to

     lay before the Board his Majestys Royal Instruction relating

     to the Stopping & Embargoeing of Ships in this Province Vizt

     You are hereby directed to take care that in time of War

     no ships do come from Maryland but in Fleets or at such time

     as shall be notified from hence for their meeting of Convoys

     and in case of other danger you are to Expect Directions from

     whence what precautions shall be necessary for their security

      Which being duly considered & that his Excellency has

     never received any Advice instructions or directions either

     from his Majesty Secry of State the right Honble the Lords

     of Trade and Plantations or Lords of the Admiralty what

     measures should be at this time taken nor any imitation of the

     said Convoy other than by the said Merchts Letters this Board   p. 282

     advise his Excy that no Embargo or stop be put upon any

     Vessel ready to Sail until his Excellency shall Receive such

     directions & precautions according to the express injunction

     of the said instruction to be signified from England

      ‘Then read

      The humble petition of John Jones of Baltimore County

     Carpenter

     Most humbly Sheweth

      Unto your Excellency that your Petitioner hath at the last

     Provincial Court been arraign'd & convicted of Manslaughter

     & suffered the Corporal Punishment of being Burnt in the

     hand & hath also forfeited all his Goods and Chattels to our

     good & most Gracious Sovereign Lord the King so that he

     hath nothing wherewithal to sustain his wife and six small

     Children unless your Excellency in Compassion will be in

     clined to Extend his Majestys mercy and Grace in suspending

     the execution upon & taking from him the small Estate

     whereby his wife & Children are supported

                            And he shall ever pray &Ca