576   Appendix to Council Proceedings, 1696—1729.

              B.  M. Reception, and tht I am not misunderstood, thou wilt aliways

             Vol. 25. find me           Thy kind neighbour

                                           and real friend

                                                    Wm Penn.

                                 True Copy

                         [signed:] Fr. Nicholson.

                   [Postscript on a separate sheet]

                   I thank God I abhor all indirect methods, as at conniving

                 at forbidden Trade, or the abuse of the Crown in a lawful one.

                 And if any are faulty in my Propriety, as I am innocent, so

                 I am sure I would not indure but punish it to extremity, if

                 among them. Tho, here itself so full of officers and checks it

                 happens too often.

                   When Ed. Randolph arrives there, he will be able to say

                 more upon tht head, and the Regulacions tht are fixed for

                 prevention. In which I also had my share in proposing some

                 of thm and agreeing to others, as the lords well know, which

                 I heartily wish may be observed.

                                                       w. p.

                   For Col. Nicholson

                           Governour of Maryland

                                True Copy,

                         [signed:] Fr. Nicholson.

                  [Endorsed:] Copy    of Mr Pens letter to his Excellency

                                 Gen. Nicholson.

                      [N. Bayard to Gov. Nicholson.]

                                           N.   York. 30 Xber

                   Mr Brook (amongst other things) acquainted our Governr

                 Col. Fletcher tht Mr Pen was in great esteem at Court, and by

                 what I have seen & heard he has been very instrumental to

                 displant Col. Fletcher from the Governmt Yet some short

                 time before Mr Brooks his departure, sd Pen took an apportun

                 ity to tell sd Brook, tht yourself was to be removed from your

                 Governmt and tht he had enough agts you to effect it, tht he

                 might acquaint Col. Fletcher, if be had a mind to tht Governmt

                 of Maryld; he adviced him only to make some stay in these

                 parts, and doubted not but would procure tht Governmt for

                 Col. Fletcher, who I know utterly abhors such intreagues, is

                 fully resolved to depart hence in his Matys ship the Richmond.

                   The above is part of a letter from the Honble Col. Nicholas

                 Byard one of his Majtys Council of N. York & sent to

                         [Signed:] Fr. Nicholson.