Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761. 263

well satisfied with what your Excellency says in regard to
M^r Hands, and am Sir with very great Respect.
Your obed^t humble Servant
Kent County Feb: 27: 1758. Richard Lloyd.

p. S. One Misfortune seems attended with another, I
just now looked out of my Window and find Susquehanna
is broke up, the Bay very full of Ice.

Sir
My last gave you an Account that forty to fifty of Captain
Browne's Men had been for some time at the Bay Side wait-
ing for Vessels to carry them, they on Wednesday last in
three small Vessels set off, and that Night got under the
Western Shore nigh Patapsco. The Gale of Wind that came
up the next Morning obliged them all to run into Chester for
a Harbour, where, either thro' Mismanagement or from it's
over blowing, they all went on Shore, one of the Vessels
immediately sprung a Leak and threw over Board about
thirty Barrels of Bread, and some other provision many of
the Men I hear are Frost bitten; they are all returning and
determined to a Man not to go, let the Consequence be what
it will. My Declaration made in the most solemn manner,
that if no other Officer in the County would do his Duty, yet
I would do mine, and that I never would undertake to say
that a Law allowed by all to be in Force, ought not to be
executed; I am convinced was the Cause of these Men's going,
to speak my Mind freely. I look upon the Law to be as cruel
as it possibly can be, and if fully executed must ruin the

Lib. J. R.

& U. S.

People, and since this Accident has happened (tho' I am
certainly sure it is thro' Mismanagement of the Officers,
from the very first Orders) I hope your Excellency will
excuse me when I say, I am determined never more to give
any Orders of the Sort for the future. Now as it seems an
Inconsistency for any Man to hold a Commission that he will
not fully execute, I shall with the greatest Pleasure return
mine if agreeable to your Excellency; and shall be greatly
pleased some more qualified Person supplies my place. I
take the Liberty to wish your Excellency a great Deal of
Happiness, and to say that I am with very great Esteem,
your obed^t humble Servant.
Kent County Mar: 7: 1758.. Rich^d Lloyd.

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