184 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761.

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

if above that Burthen, that the Cargoes of such Ships or
Vessels, the Particulars of which are to be expressed in the
Bond shall not be landed in any other Ports or Places than
such as belong to his Majesty, or are in possession of his
Subjects, and that they will within twelve Months after the
Date thereof, the Danger of the Sea excepted produce Certifi-
cates, under the Hands, and Seals of the principal Officers
of the Customs at such Ports or places for which such Ships
or Vessels cleared out that the said Cargoes expressing the

p. 157

particulars thereof, have actually been landed there, and
when there shall be Cause to suspect that such Certificates
are false and counterfeit, you shall take especial Care that
such Security be not cancelled or vacated, until you shall
have been informed from the said principal Officers of the
Customs that the Matter and Contents thereof are just and
true, and in Case the Masters or Owners of such Ships or
Vessels shall not produce the said Certificates within the
Time limitted you are to attest the Copies of such Bonds
under your Hand and Seal, and to cause Prosecution thereof,
and you are also to give Directions that no Person be ad-
mitted to be Security for another, who has Bonds standing
out undischarged, unless he be esteemed responsible for more
than the Value of such Bonds.

And in order the more fully to answer his Majesty's In-
tention of distressing the Enemy and to render his Orders
herein the more effectual you are to take Care in Case the
Masters or Owners of any Ships or Vessels having cleared
out from the Colony under your Government shall be de-
tected in causing collusive Captures to be made of the Car-
goes, that the severest Penalties be inflicted upon the Offend-
ers which the Laws will in such Case allow of.
We are
Sir
Your most obedient humble Servants
Dunk Halifax
Andrew Stone
James Oswald

Ordered that the following Letter issue to the several
Officers of the Customs within this Province.

S^r
It being recommended to me by the Right honourable the
Earl of Loudoun as a Matter of the greatest Importance for
his Majesty's Service that an Embargo should be laid in the
several Ports within my Government, you are therefore here-