Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1761-1769. 187

Bills of Credit it does not appear expedient to propose a
Copper Coinage at this time.

At a Council held at the Governor's on Thursday the 2^d day
of April in the Sixteenth year of his Lordship's Dominion
Anno Domini 1767.
Present

His Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq^r Governor.

The honble Benjamin Tasker, John Ridout Cha^s Golds-
borough and Walter Dulany Esq^r

His Excellency is pleased to lay before this Board the fol-
lowing Address from Sundry Inhabitants of Baltimore Town.
To his Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq^r Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over the Province of Maryland.

May it please your Excellency
We the Inhabitants of Baltimore Town, ever desirous of
shewing our Loyalty to the best of Kings; beg leave to Ad-
dress your Excellency on an Affair which we deem Important
and if not attended to in time may interrupt the future Wel-
fare of many of his Majestys faithful Subjects.
About Eight Months past a Number of French Neutrals
from this Place and other parts Embarked as we always un-
derstood on a Voyage to Pensacola, but have since learnt they
have Landed at New Orleans and are become Subjects of the
French King; another Body of these People near 300 in
Number are now preparing to embark from hence in Order to
go to the same Place.

Lib. J. R.

& U. S.

When we consider how well these People are acquainted
with the Navigation of our Bay That of Delaware and of
Fundy that many have Piloted Vessels into the Harbour of
Boston and New York, We have but too much Reason to
apprehend that in Case of a future Rupture with France or
Spain they must do inconceivable prejudice to the Commerce
of this Continent.
When we reflect on the inveterate Hatred they retain
against this Nation on Account of their having been Sup-
planted from their Lands in Acadia, we think it highly im-
politic (not to say imprudent) to suffer them to settle among
our Avow'd Enemies on the back of a new Colony where
they may possibly Foment a Misunderstanding between us
and the Indians to the great Detriment of his Majesty's faith-
ful Subjects. With the Strictest Truth we can assure your
Excellency that no Public Animosity or Private Pique to these

p. 451