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Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1761-1769. 89
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And whereas a Copy of the said Proclamation hath been
transmitted to me by the Right honourable the Lords Com-
missioners of Trade and Plantations, who have also Signified
to me his [Majesty's] Royal Will and Pleasure, that the same
should be Published in the Several Parts of my Government, to
the End that all His Majesty's Subjects there may pay due
Obedience thereto: I have therefore, in Obedience to the said
Royal Order, Signified to me as aforesaid, with the Advice
of his Lordships Council of State, Caused the said Proclama-
tion to be this Day Published at the City of Annapolis; and I
do hereby Strictly Charge and Command the Several Sheriffs
of this Province, to make this his Majesty's Proclamation
Publick in their Respective Counties, in the usual Manner,
that all His Majesty's Subjects within the same, may take
notice thereof, and Conform themselves thereto Accordingly,
Given at the City of Annapolis, this Twelfth Day of Jan-
uary, in the Thirteenth year of His Lordships Dominion,
Annoq Domini 1764.
Horatio Sharpe
John Ross Clk. Con.
God Save the King.
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Lib. J. R.
& U. S.
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Whitehall 11th October 1763
Sir
The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury hav-
ing represented to His Majesty, that they find, upon a con-
sideration of the present state of the Duties of Customs im-
posed on His Majesty's Subjects in America, that the Revenue
arising therefrom is very small and inconsiderable, having in
no degree increased with the Commerce of those Countries,
and is not yet sufficient to defray a fourth part of the expence
necessary for Collecting it, and that through neglect, con-
nivence and fraud, not only the Revenue is impaired, but the
Commerce of the Colonies is diverted from its natural course,
and the Salutary provisions of many wise Laws are in great
measure defeated; His Majesty has commanded us to require
and enjoin you in the Strictest manner to make the Suppres-
sion of the clandestine and prohibited Trade with foreign
nations and the improvement of the Revenue, the constant and
immediate objects of your care, and by a vigorous discharge
of the duty required of you by several Acts of Parliament
and a due exertion of your legal Authority, to give the Officers
of the Revenue all Possible protection and support, and that
you do from time to time transmit such Observations as occur
to you on the State of the illicit and contraband trade, and on
the conduct of all Persons, whose duty it is to prevent the
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p. 382
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