Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 409

     Boat Swift being there Butt Robed of all her Provisions & Lib. X.

     Stores, Yor Lettrs being burned, butt the body of the Vessell

     is whole, and have made application to Sr Edmond Andros

     for assistance towards the Getting her off, I did acquaint you

     of the occasions wch obliged to putt in att Point Comfort att my

     arrivall wth in the Capes, & the misfortunes that has attended

     his majties Service Since, butt haveing ordrs to Come up to

     Maryland; and there to apply my selfe to you for furthr

     Directions The body of my Vessell is in a Condition to be

     saved & do desire yor Directions & assistance towards the

     Service & wth Ordrs you shall send: if I can save the vessell

     shall be Immediately Complied wth my Travelling has hindred

     me from having Conveniences of Sending here being no posts

     butt have written three times before; I am doing all I can to

     gitt Necessaries in ordr to save the Vessell and shall Informe

     you of my proceedings as I am

                                     Honble Sr

                     Yor most Humble Srvt

     Essex prise Aprill    Will Bosstock

       the 5th 1698

        Point Comfort;

             The above Lettr was Directed vizt

                  On his Majties Service

     To his Excy Francis Nicholson his majtie Levt Captn Genll

     & Governour of the Province of Mariland

                        in America

     Sr Maryland porte of Annapolis Aprill the 26th 1698.

       Yors of the  of Aprill I have received and Communicated

     itt to his Majties honble Councill wth in this Province, I have

     nevr received any Lettr or othr advice you att any tyme

     before, am heartily Sorry for the sad accident of the loss of

     your Vessell the want of wch here may have been very

     prejudiciall to his Majties Service, how to assist you I cannot

     tell att so great a distance but would advise you to bring her

     hither if possible, & you shall not want Wtt lyes in my power

     to helpe you in the Refitting her though itt happens very

     ill that his Majtie has no Navall Stores in this Province.

     Sr I desire you would propose to me how & where in I can

     give any assistance in yor prsent Circumstances and assure

     you I shall aiwayes be Ready to do my utmost Endeavours

     for his majties Service.

                               And am Sr

        For his Matys ServiceYor Humble Serve

     To Capt Wm Bostock ComandrFrancis Nicholson

       of his Matys Advice Boat Swift at

       point Comfort in Virginia or else wher