Papers Relating to Affairs in Maryland, 1701—14. 267

     last with their provisions only for the Voyage, So that many P. B. 0.

     people here are almost starke naked, which has occasioned

     Some to turne their hands to manufacture of Lynnen and

     Woollen, and if your Lordps in your wisdome do not find

     out Some Expedient to have the Necessity of the Country

     relieved, by obliging the Merchts to Send Supplys; it may be

     of ill consequence to the Revenue arising on tobo, which will

     be in Greate measure layd aside by Such who find they can

     have nothing for it.

      My Lords I humbly presume to acquaint You that there

     neither is or hath been any Guardship at the Capes Mouth for

     these twelve Months So that her Matys Plantations of Virginia

     and Maryland are obnoxious to the Insult of any Rascally

     Pyrate or Privateer who may come and go & burne what

     Shipping happe[ns] to be in the Countrye at pleasure. And

     have this Day an Accot of a privateer lying off the Capes,

     which has taken Severall Vessells comeing into these Planta

     tions and having unman'd himselfe to Secure them is retired

     in order to a fresh Expedition.

      I hope Yor Lordps are by this tyme Satisfyed I have done

     what was incumbent on me, concerning the Prizes, & will

     in everything to the best of my Skill obey your Coniands;

     & am with the greatest Duty & Respect imaginable

                              My Lords

                      Your Lordships most obedient and

                          faithfull humble ServtMaryland June 10, 1707                 Jo: Seymour

     [Dated]  Maryland March 10, 1708/9.        B. T. Md. 5.

     Gov: Seymour to [Board of Trade]

     My Lords.

      ‘I'hough I wrote to your Lordships very lately of the 18th

     of Novemb: by the way of New-Yorke, and of the tenth of

     Ianry last by a Small Briganteen hence; Yet now having the

     Oportunity of the Catherine of London, a Ship of Good

     Countenance, I have herewith transmitted to your honoura

     ble Board the Laws and Iournalls of our last Assembly: By

     which Your Lordships will See I have not faild in my Duty

     to lay her Matys Royall Comands before the Generall Assem

     bly, and with all the dilligence & Industry I was capable of,

     heartily to recomend them to their ready Complyance; But

     as there was not any person of liberall Education that ap

     pear'd there, it was too difficult a Taske for me, to graft good

     manners on so barren a Stock; So they have once more

     refus'd to do anything therein, Save the addressing her Matye