Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1704.     175

   by Act of Parliamt appointed instead &c & Subscribed the Lib. C. B.

   Test. The said W Bladen was also Sworne Clarke of the

   Councill. After which his EXnCY was pleas'd to aske the

   Councill if they had any thing further, at prsent, to offer for

   her Matys Service. Who say not.

   Maryland ss.                               p. 5

            Att a Councill held May 22d 1704

          Present His Excellency the Governour

      The Honrble Thomas Tench Esqr Robert Smith Esqr

     Coll John Hamond Lt Coll William Holland James

           Sanders Esqr William Coursey Esqr

     Came John Danzey Esqr Collector of Potomeck and made

   to his Lists of Shipping and Account of the one penny p

   pound Ending the Tenth day of Aprili 1704.

     George Muschamp Esq her Majestys Collecter of Puttux

   ent came and made Oath to his List of Shipping clearing

   outwards from the 17th of June 1702 to the 16th of March

   1703. Also to his account of the Threepence p hogshead

   for Arms from the first day of Janry 1698/9 to the fourth day

   of August 1703.

     And to his Account of the one Shilling p hogshead from

   the third day of lanry 1702 to the fourth day of August 1703.

   Also of the three pence p Tonn for the Same time and like

   wise the Account Current of both the said Accounts.

     Sr Thomas Laurence Barrt her Majestys Secretary of this

   Province having Aplyed himself to his Excellency acquainting

   him that he had found his Office was of late much lessened

   and Impaired as likewise his health and therefore was de

   sirous to have his Excellencys Leave to go for England It

   was Debated whether it were fitting his Excellency should

   give him such Leave or not, and thereupon it was ordered p. 6

   the said Sr Thomas Laurences Commission should be laid

   before the Board Whereupon Sr Thomas Laurence being sent

   for Came and Produced his Patent Wherein Liberty is given

   Sr Thomas to Exercise his Office by his Sufficient Deputy

   during his Residence. Sr Thomas acquaints his Excellency

   and the Board that his former Patent ran in the Same words

   and that he had whilest he held this Office thereby with the

   leave of this Government gone twice for England.

     Whereupon his Excellency and the honourable Councill

   being Satisfied that upon Sr Thomas's leaving a Sufficient

   Deputy well Qualifyed to Execute his Office during his Ab

   sence her Majestys Service will not be prejudiced, they will

   not Advise nor gainsay his now going for England, He being

   Answerable therefore.