96   Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1700.

        Lib. X.  Copys of several Proclamations issued

                 By his Excellency the Capt Genl

                       A Proclamation

                   Forasmuch as I have received his most Sacred Majestys

                 Commands to me by the honble James Vernon Esqr one of his

                 Majestys principal Secretarys of State commanding me to

                 prohibit all Comerce with & not to suffer any ammunition

                 supply of Arms or other necessary provisions to be transported

                 hence to the Scotch who lately arrived at the Island of St

                 Thomas in several Ships which they had Fitted out with in

                 tention as they declard to settle themselves in some part of

                 America their design being altogether unknown to his Maj-

                 esty I do therefore by this my Proclamation prohibit all per

                 sons whatsoever within this Govt from holding any Comerce

                 with or giving any Relief or Aid to them whatsoever as they

                 will answer the contrary at their Perills & I do hereby com

                 mand & direct the several & respective Officers of his Maj-

                 estys Customs within this Province that they do not clear or

                 Suffer any Vessel to depart hence having on Board them any

        p. 253   Store of Powder Ball Ammunition arms Provisions of Victuals

                 or other necessarys whatsoever which may any wise be Sus

                 pected tobe intended forthe Supply of those persons & to the

                 end that all persons may have due notice hereof & give due

                 regard thereto I do hereby command the several & respective

                 Sheriffs of the several Countys in this Province to publish this

                 my Proclamation in all Churches Chappels Court houses &

                 Other publick places of meeting within their several & re

                 spective Counties Given under my hand & the Great Seal of

                 the Province this 18th day of April in the 11th year of his Maj-

                 estys Reign &ca Annoq Dni 1699

                   God save the King                       N Blakiston

                      By his Excellency the Capt Genl

                              A Proclamation

                   In as much as divine Providence hath lately Visited these

                 parts in a very particular manner by a most terrible &

                 dreadful Stroke of Lightning & thunder to fall upon the

                 State house the General Assembly sitting therein which Fired

                 the Roof thereof highly endangering the Records lodged

                 therein & not only so but further visiting our Sins strook

                 dead Mr James Crawford one of the Delegates of Calvert

                 County & grievously wounded & hurt Divers others vizt

                 Lieut Collo Hans Harrison Lieut Collo George Ashman & Mr

                 Thomas Hicks &ca but forasmuch as it pleased Almighty God

                 of his infinite Mercy far beyond our deserts to withhold &