304 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1715.

           Lib. W. B. Also the following Proclamation for Preventing any Illegal

                 Trade being carryed on between this his Matys Province and

                 any of the French settlemts in America being Prepared was

                 read and approved of is as followeth Viz.

           By his Excellency the Capt Genrll and vice Admrll &c.

                             A Proclamation

                  Whereas his most Sacred Maty Our Sovereigne Lord the

                 King has been informed tht an Illegal Trade has been carryed

              p. 37  on between Sevr” of the British Plantations in America and

                 the French Settlements in these Parts to the Prejudice of the

                 Trade of Great Britain and in Violation of the Laws thereof

                 and the Treaties between the Kingdom of Great Britain and

                 France Concluded the 6/16 day of Novbr 1586 By the fifth

                 and Sixth Articles of which Treaty the Subjects and Inhabi

                 tants &c of each Kingdom are Prohibited to Trade and fish

                 in all Places Possessed by the other in America And if any

                 Ship shall be found Trading contrary to the sd Treaty upon

                 due Proof shall be Confiscated, but in case the Subjects of

                 either King shall be forced by stress of Weather Enimies or

                 other Necessitys into the Ports of the other in America They

                 shall be Treated wth Humanity & Kindness & May Pvide

                 themselves wth Victuals and other things necessary for their

                 Sustenance & Reparation of their Ships at reasonable rates.

                 Provided they do not break Bulk nor carry any Goods out of

                 their Ships exposing them to Sale nor receive any Merchan

                 dize on Board under the Penaltie of Confiscation of Ship and

                 Goods.

                  And whereas by the fortieth Article of Instructions to the

                 Captains of his Matys Ships of Warr The sd Captains are

                 Expressly restreined from taking any Goods or Merchandize

                 on Board their sd Ships I have therefore Wth the Advice of

                 his Majesties honble Council in this Province thought fit to

                 Issue this my Proclamation in his Matys Name strictly charging

                 and requiring all & every his Majesties good Subjects in this

                 Province & especially the Commanders of any of his Matys

                 Ships & the sevrll Officers of his Matys Customs tht they use

              p. 38  their Uttmost Endeavours and take Care to Conforme them

                 selves to the sd fifth & sixth Articles of the Treaty afsd & be

                 obedt to the sd fortieth Article of Instructions before recited

                 to the End the sd Treaty may be Punctually observed & put in

                 Execution And that no Illegal Trade be Carryed on between

                 this his Matys Province of Maryland & the French Settlements

                 in America by any of his Matys Ships of War attending

                 this Province or any other British or Plantation Ships or Ves

                 sels As likewise tht none of the French Subjects may be