166 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1703.

           Lib. x.    William & Queen Mary you are directed to put the same into

                the Possession of the Governor of this her Majestys Province

                whose Authority is by Powers under the Great Seal of Eng

                land lodged in myself the President & Council if there be any

                later Statute or Ordinance for regulating that matter other

                wise and you are apprised thereof I should be glad you would

                communicate the same in order to the legal Condemnation of

                your Prize and Security of her Majestys Interest therein this

                Praevious Requisite of Delivering the Prize into the Possession

           P. 34'     of the Governor I have taken care to make Easy to you by

                Ordering your Friend Mr Plater her Majestys Receiver to

                take the same into his Custody & Possession on Behalf of her

                Majesty unless you think fit to bring her up hither where to

                your Speedy dispatch in her Condemnation my best Endeav

                ours shall be contributed as well as in any other thing wherein

                I may be able to approve my Self

                Sr                      Sir

                  when you come up you must Your most humble Ser

                take Care to bring the French vant Tho Tench

                Commander & some of the Say

                lors and all the Papers found on

                Board for inspection of the Gov

                ernment especially the Bills of

                Loading

                  To Captain Josiah Moore Commander of her Majestys

                Ships Oxford in Puttuxent

                  After which was read the said Captain Moor's Letter to

                the honble President & unto the Judge of the Court of Vice

                Admiralty desiring that a court might be appointed for the

                Condemnation of the said prize at Puttuxent &Ca which was

                Answered as follows

                Captn Josiah Moore West River August the 28th 1703

                    Sir

                  Yours of the 25th Instant to the honble President being

                Laid before this Board we have thought fit for her Majtys Inter

                est and your better satisfaction to acquaint you that this is

                her Majestys Government wherein we act by powers from

                her most sacred Majesty under the Great Seal of Engid by all

                the Laws of which Kingdom when made acquainted with them

                we are regulated in all matters wherein our particular acts of

                Assembly are silent & not providing Otherwise in regard to

                the Constitution of this Province And for the due Administra

           p. 342     tion of Justice here in enforcing Obedience to those Laws we

                are strictly answerable to her most sacred Majesty & none

                other wherefore we Cannot forbear acquainting you that as