334 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1715/16.

            C. P. The said Mr James Carroll, was told of threatning Expres

                  sions, by him used lately & acknowledged that he did say,

                  that in Case any Body Calumniated him, if he could not be

                  righted, by Law, he wou'd do himselfe Justice. He is cau

                  tioned to have a Care for his Actions for that all such Per

                  sons, who make any discovery, for the Government, are all-

                  ways under the Protection of it.

                    His Excellency put the Question to the Board whether

                  there be any Sufficient Grounds, in the said Letter, to prose

                  cute the Persons writing it, or the Person it is writt to, or Mr

                  James Carroll, who is Mentioned therein.

                    Upon Which they unanimously answer they don't think

                  there is any matter, of Moment in the said Letter, worthy his

                  Excelicys further notice.

                    His Excellency acquaints the Council, he has had some

                  intimation, that Sundry Roman Catholicks, and other dis

                  affected Persons to his Matys Person of Governmt especially

                  in Prince Georges County, have spoke disrespectively of the

                  Governmt & Shewed their disafection, to his Majesty, by

                  Spreading sundry false Rumours, and especially of advantage

                  gained by his Majesty's Enemies, and drinking or offering to

                  drink, the Pretenders Health, and therefore desires the opinion

                  of the Board whether it may not be fit, to Caution the Magis

                  trates and Sherriffs, of the respective Countys, especially at

                  this tyme, when there seems to be divers Comotions fomented

                  in Great Britain, carefully to observe the Demeanour of such

                  Persons, & upon finding or Suspecting any Persons, in their

                  respective Countys, to be disafected to his Majesty & Govmt

                  and to shew themselves as such by their evil demeanour to

                  tender them the Oaths &Ca On refusal whereof they shoud

                  cause them to find good Sureties, for their good Behaviour or

                  Committ them, to the County Goale.

                    To which all the Members of this Board, do unanimously

                  answer, that they think such Caution, and Directions, from his

                  Excellency to the severall Magistrates, and Sherriffs, is very

                  advisable and absolutely necessary at this tyme, for preserving

                  the Safety and good Governmt of the Province.

                    Then his Excellency was pleased to ask, the Advice of the

                  Board, after what particular manner such Cautions, and

                  Orders, should be Issued to the sd Sherriffs, and Magistrates

                  to which the Members of the Board, say they think it most

                  advisable, to be done by Proclamation.

                    And the sd Proclamation being prepared, & read as follows,

                  was forthwith Issued.