330 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1 744.

Lib. C. B

Given under Our hand and Lesser Seal at Arms at London
this twenty seventh day of December in the twenty ninth
Year of Our Dominion over the said Province Annoq Dni

1743
By his Lordships Command
Jn^o Browning Secretary

8^th August 1744

Ordered by his Excellency the Governor that the present
General Assembly of this Province which stands prorogued
to the first Tuesday in September next be further prorogued
to the last Tuesday in October next being the thirtieth day of
the same Month, and Proclamations issued accordingly

George R :
Trusty and Welbeloved We greet you well. It having
been represented unto us by Our Minister in Holland that
Exception is taken there to that Clause in Our Declarations of
War, against the Crowns of Spain and France, whereby It is
declared, that the Ships of all Nations carrying Counterband
Goods to the Enemies Port, shall be liable to Confiscation ;
under Colour of which It is apprehended there, that Vessels
belonging to the Subjects of Our good Friends and Allies the
States General, may come to be confiscated, on pretext of
Part of their Cargoes being Counterband Goods, contrary to
the express Articles of the Marine Treaty, concluded between
Our Crown, & that Republick, at London the first Day of
December 1674, confirmed by subsequent Treaties; or that
by a larger Interpretation than was meant to be given to the
General Words in the said Declarations, (viz^t other Contra-
band Goods) the Captains and Officers of Our Ships of War,
and Others acting under Our Commissions, may make Prize
of Dutch Ships, and their Cargoes, as well in Europe, as in

p. 225 (A)

America, upon Pretence of their having on board Spanish or
French Effects, tho' not Contraband; And It being Our Royal
Intention that the said Treaty Marine, and All Engagements,
which subsist between Us, and Our said Good Friends and
Allies, should be most carefully, and religiously observed; It
is therefore Our Will and Pleasure, And We do hereby author-
ize and empower you to enjoyn all Captains of Ships, to whom
you shall grant Letters of Marque, or Commissions for private
Men of War, against the King of Spain, and the French
King, & their Subjects, to observe carefully and religiously
the said Treaty Marine, & give Security, pursuant to the tenth
Article, for their due performance thereof. And so We bid