24 ~  [13 September 1692]  Order of Governor Copley to collect public arms

To the Sheriff of Somerset County or his Deputy

Maryland. By his Excl’ie the Capt. Gen’rl. Whereas Complt hath been made by the sever’ll Principall Commanders & Chief Officers of the militia in the respective Counties within this Province that the publick Arms, both for Horse & foote, are lodged & detained in severall private persons hands & poss’ion & not to be procured for service, or to be fixed & repaired as occassion may require I have therefore thought fitt & doe hereby strictly charge & command in their Ma’ties Names all & singular the Inhabitants of this Province whatsoever having in their hands & poss’ion any of the Country or publick Armes, whether fixed or unfixed, forthwith to render & deliver the same unto the custody & poss’ion of the Com’dr in Chief or principall military Officer in the respective County, where he she or they, having such Arms as afsd do live & abide, to be fixed & repaired & disposed of as shall be thought fitt for their Ma’ties service. Whereof let no person fail upon pain & peril of being severely & strictly proceeded ag’t as Persons concealing & imbezling their Ma’ties Arms, according to the Laws & Statutes of England in such cases made & provided. And to the end that no person whatsoever may plead or pretend ignorance herein I doe hereby also strictly charge & command all & every the respective Sheriffs of this Province forthwith upon Receit to make publick Proclamation hereof, in the most Publick & convenient places, in their respective Counties. Given this day under my hand & seal, this eight day of August Anno Dom 1692 in the fourth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord & Lady King William & Queen Mary

                                                                                                ¤  sealed      L. Copley