Edward Randolph letter to William Blathwayt, 1692 July 13

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The Lieutenant Governor came hither 2 or 3 dayes ago to see the fleet made up
of which onely some of the Largest who loaded in Maryland. On
the 23 of June Collonell copley sent a list but of 10 who had given
security to sayle with the Convoy: tho' vpon my visiting some
ships chich were not inserted in that last list I found 2 illegall
traders: I find Collonell Copley does very much adhere to the Collectors
of Maryland wheither I am going from hence in my way to
New Englland" here has been a barbarous Murther Committed by
the Boat Swain & a Saylor of the Assistance frigott vpon Captain
Marshall an Inhabitant & Justice of the peace of this County
they fell upon him & beat him ashoare then forcd him into a
boat & carried him aboard he was so much wounded that
after the Surgeon had dressd his wounds was laid in a Cabbin
but next morning was missing & since his body never
seen, Its supposed he was thrown overboard in the night. the
Lieutenant Governors presence was very necessary to prevent a greater
mischeife: for the Inhabitants were so Enraged that they
would haue fallen vpon all the Saylors of that frigott vnlesse
they had sent Captain Marshall a shoare: the Lieutenant Governorr ordered the
Justices of the peace to be summoned. they examined the witnesses &
found principall the Boatswain etc: the Governor sent his warrant to haue
them sent a shore which was done: but upon their Confession to a
minister they protest they know not what became of him wh
after he was putt into a Cabin: for they were putt in Irons: unlesse
I can haue a boat Good sloop with Men to go aboard ships going
out & coming in th eCapes I cannot do the Service expected: I intend
to send you a list of all ships Trading irregularly if I can gett it dispatchd
before the commander sayle. my humble service to Mr Povey. I am

the whole ffleet will
consist of about 120
sayle; never more in our yeare even out of the Capes.

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Sr. I remind you that its necessary that 3 or 4 Merchants of Bristoll
be agreed with for freight for your Boards: for I cannot do it
here: as also for Mr Chaplins: I haue got 500 ffote of Board
for him. he is not to know what i haue provided for you I haue
them from the Eastern Shoare. I have bespoake of thomas Evernden
at little Annamosseck on the Eastern Shore 10000 foot of pine plank
& as much black Walnutt plank as he could possibly provide: & 5000
for Mr Chaplin of Collonell Charles Scarburrow: at puncatege on
the Eastern Shore. I am to give them bills for what I haue from them
to England: &p must draw on Mr. Chaplin: for his 5000: & for
yours also but beleive he will take it ill at my hands that I
provide now for hi you than for him: letters must be
wrote by the Masters as well to them as to me: but god willing
I will be present at the loading it: all: I am at aboue 3lb
charge to passe the Great Bay of Chesepeake haue done it
4 tymes already & am now undertaking the 5. you cannot
imagine the difficultyes I undergo in getting from ship to ship
in James River: the men of war cannot spare me a boat
so often as I want: Its not my fault that i haue not gott
2 or 300ll since my arrivall. but tho I gett onely my labour
for my paines yet the illegall Traders will be affrighted
to hear I will lett none of them be at quiett: I am Sr

I haue wrote something to Mr
Henley about providing ships to
take your Boards aboard etc;

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Virginia 13 July 1692
From Mr Randolph
Received 6 September: 1692