Appendix to Council Proceedings, 1696—1729. 587

       Mem: Since their Lordships were satisfyed from his Excys B. M.

     accounts given them that the discouraging manufactures here Vol. 25.

     was the intrest of England. Quer: whether they ever saw the

     rest of that Memoriall containing many other advertisements

     of like nature. And quere what became of that Memoriall

     and how it came to pass that it was sent entire to the mer

     chants or whether quer. brought back to the Lords or the King.

       Idem the inconveniencys of imparting anything but what

     only concerns such persons concern'd.

                    [Deserting Seamen.]

       To his Excy Francis Nicholson esqr Capt Genll & Govr in

     Chief in & over his Majty Province of Maryland & Teretories

     thereto belonging & Vice Admirll of the same

       The humble Address & Representacon of the sever” Mrs &

     Commandrs of Vessells whose names are hereunto subscribed

     May itt please. yor Exncy

       Since you have been pleased to require us to lay before

     you some proposall by Wt means the great & growing Evill

     wch dayly happens by seamen deserting their service & Ves

     sels (to the great prejudice of his Majties service & manifest

     discouragemt of Trade) may be prevented

       Wee give yor Exncy hearty thanks for yor great Care &

     good Intentions therein & humbly beg lieve to address yor

     Exncy that you will be favourably pleased to lay Or following

     proposall before the next Assembly, vizt.

       That a Law of this Country may be made Imposing a severe

     Penalty on such persons as shall entertain any deserting

     Seamen & that there may be a reward of fifty shill. allow'd

     out of such Seamens Wages to any person that shall take up

     & secure them to be paid upon Certificate under a Commissrs

     hand which said Certificate & Receipt from the party securing

     them may be by the said law declared to be in sufficient barr of

     the claime of any such Seamens wages.

       And that at the present we humbly entreat yor Exncy to Issue

     yor Proclamacion assuring any person securing deserting

     Seamen of a Reward of fifty shillings sterll wch wee are willing

     to pay upon receiving them.

       Wee doe further Represent to yor Exncy that we are sencible

     our deserting saylers generally resort to the Governmt of

     Pensilvania where they are not only Connived & winked

     att but are much encouraged with the specious promises of

     Excessive wages & being preferr'd to be Masters & Mates of