This is to certify that I have seene a proclamation signed by Capt. Tymothy Biggs wherein he declared himselfe Depty to the Earle of Craven and Comptroller & Surveyor Generall of his Maties Customes and that he is ready to enter & cleare any vessell or vessells that may here arrive and to the intent that noe person whatsoever may be deluded or run into danger by meanes of the said proclamation I doe hereby declare that as to his being Depty as aforesaid I dispute not but never understood that a Comptroller or Surveyor of the Customes had the prerogative of entring or clearing any vessell but that it belongs to the Collector which I am till another appeare & therefore whoever shall enter or cleare with him thinking they have done their duty therein he or they may be hereby informed that I will make seizure of them & bring them to tryall according to Act of Parliament.
[Indorsed]
Culpeper's Declaration
agst T. B. when T. B.
was pulled downe
Read the 7th Febry 1679-80.