326 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1744.

Lib. C B

them to the Agent nominated and appointed by the Captors
to take Care or dispose of such Prize and also upon Applica-
tion to them to give or Cause to be given unto the Agents
who shall at any time or times be appointed as aforesaid by
the Captors of any Prizes taken by any of Our Ships of War,
all such Lists from the Muster Book of any such Ships of
War, and annexed Lists as the Agents shall find requisite for
their direction in the paying the Produce of such Prizes, and
to be otherwise aiding and assisting to the said Agents as
shall be necessary And Whereas We have impowered the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to grant Letters of
Marque or Commissions for Privateers to such Persons as
they shall think fitly qualified in that behalf according to the
Treaties between us and our Allies, We do for Encourage-
ment of such Privateers further declare, that all Privateers
taken by any Privateer, brought unto Port according to our
Instructions in that behalf shall unless otherwise decreed by
the Court of Admiralty, be continued in the Possession of the
Privateer having only custom house Officers on Board as is
usual in Merchant Ships to secure the Duties, and such Ships

p. 230

> Vessels and Goods, being condemned as Lawful Prize and
duly inventoried and appraised by such Persons as shall be
lawfully Authorized in that behalf the same shall be delivered
to or remain with the Captor thereof, or such Persons as are
intrusted therein to be disposed of by him or them as he or
they shall think fit, they first Satisfying paying or securing to
us such Customs and duties as aforesaid, And in regard
Privateers are set forth and manned at the Charges of the
particular Owners thereof who make Agreements with their
Seamen what Shares and Proportions each Man on Board
such Privateer shall have of any Prize which shall be taken,
and it will not be reasonable that any Seaman or Person on
Board such Privateers should be entitled to any thing, other-
wise than according to the particular Agreement he shall
have signed to such Owner or Owners, We do hereby ratify
and confirm all and every such Contracts and Agreements
which shall be entered into upon the putting forth any such
Privateer, And we do hereby declare that every Article and
Thing, which shall be contained in such Contract Stipulations
and Agreements relating to the distribution of such Prizes
among themselves, shall be as firm valid and effectual as if
they had been set forth in this declaration; And We do hereby
further declare and direct that public Notification shall be
given, by the Persons or Agents so appointed for Prizes taken
by any of Our Ships of War, of the day appointed for the
Payment of the several Shares to the Captors after which
public Notification if any Mens shares shall remain in the