Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1739/40. 191

Maryland ss.

John Seymour Esq^r Captain General and Governor in Chief
in and over this her Majestys Province of Maryland the
Lands Islands and Territorys thereunto belonging

To John Hammond of Ann Arundel County Esq^r Greet-
ing.

Whereas I am Commanded and Enjoyned by her most
Excellent Majestys Royal Instructions, to put the Militia of
this her Majestys province in the best and most Useful Posture
for the Defence and Security thereof; especially in this time
of War — And for that I have and do repose Especial Trust
and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, Prudence, Skill and
good Conduct; In pursuance of her said Majestys Royal In-
structions to me I have thought fit & do hereby Commission-
ate you the said John Hammond to be Major General of all
and Singular the Forces belonging to the Militia, within the
Six Countys uf the Western Shore, in this Her Majestys
Province, both of Horse and Foot Commanding and Requiring
the several Colonels and Commanders and other Subalterne
Officers Soldiers and Troopers of the said Militia to be in all
Respects Obedient to your Commands And to the end the

Lib. C. B.

said Militia may be rendered the most Effectually Serviceable,
and that it may be the better known what Officer or Officers
do discharge and execute their Commissions or otherwise
happen to neglect their Duty in Trayning and Mustering the
several Troops and Companys under their Command accord-
ing to the Art and Discipline of War you are as often as you
shall see fit, and at such times and places as you shall Judge
most Convenient, to Review the said Militia and upon their
Several Appearances diligently to Observe how well they shall
be appointed that you may be the better enabled to give me
Account thereof and upon any Suddain Invasion Incursion or
Insurrection you are hereby Authorized Immediately to Sum-
mons such Troops and Companys as you shall see fit out of
the said Several Counties on the Western Shore and them
according to the Art and Discipline of War to Command and
dispose for the resisting Vanquishing and Suppressing thereof
by all such Ways and means as you shall think proper for the
better Security and Defence of the Province And further you
are to Obey and put in Execution all such Orders and Instruc-
tions as you shall from time to time receive from myself or
any her Majestys Governor and Commander in chief of this
Her Province for the time being Lastly I do hereby Grant
unto you to hold this Commission during Pleasure Given
under my Hand and Seal at Arms this seventeenth day of
July in the Sixth year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lady

p. 63