Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761. 235

Ordered by the Advice of this Board that the following
Proclamation issue

Maryland ss. By his Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq^r
Governor and Commander in Chief in and
over the Province of Maryland.

A Proclamation

Whereas I have Reason to think that many Deserters
from his Majesty's Regiments of Foot in America as well
as from the Troops that are supported by the several Colo-
nies are harboured and concealed in this Province, I have with
the Advice of his Lordship's Council of State thought fit
to issue this Proclamation hereby strictly charging all Offi-
cers both Civil and Military within this Province from time
to time to make strict Enquiry for such Deserters and to
cause them to be apprehended and committed to the Goal of
the County where they shall be so apprehended, and to give
Notice thereof to me, or to the commanding Officers of the
Regiments or Companies to which such Deserters belong
and all his Majesty's Subjects are hereby forbid to harbour
or entertain any Person or Persons whom they shall know
or suspect to be Deserters from his Majesty's Service, under
the Pains and Penalties inflicted by an Act of Parliament
passed in the 29.. year of his Majesty's Reign, and by an Act
of Assembly that was made at a Session of Assembly held at
Baltimore Town in Baltimore County on the eighth Day of
April last. If any of the Men that have deserted from the
Maryland Forces, will return to their respective Companies,
or deliver themselves up to any of his Lordship's Justices of
the Peace before the 25: Day of September next, I hereby
promise them a full and free Pardon but any Deserters that
shall be apprehended after that Time will be punished with
the utmost Severity. Given at the City of Annapolis this 17^th
Day of August, in the seventh year of his Lordships Do-
minion Annoque Domini 1757: J Ross Cl: Con:

Ordered with the Advice of this Board that the following
Proclamation issue to dissolve the Assembly, and that Writs
of Election issue to call a new Assembly, returnable to the
28 of September next.

Maryland ss.. By his Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq^r
Governor, and Commander in Chief in and
over the Province of Maryland.

A Proclamation
Whereas the present General Assembly of this Province
stands prorogued to Friday the 30^th Day of September next,

Lib. J. R.

& U. S.