June 26th 1666.
Charles Calvert Esqre Lieutent: Genll and Chief governr of the Province of Maryland to Philip Calvert Esqre Henry Coursey Esqre, Nathaniell Uty, Thomas Notley, Robt Slye, Marsh Thomas Brooke Esqre Greeting, Whereas at an Assembly of the freemen of this Province, and their Delagates held at St Maryes the 10th day of Aprill one thousand six hundred sixty and six. There passed an Act entitled, An Act for encouragement of Trade, Wherein it is enacted that from & after the first day of February which shall be in this present yeare one thousand six hundred sixty and six till the first of February one thousand six hundred Sixty & seaven, no tobacco shall be sowne, sett planted or any waies tended in this Province of Maryland. Provided that the Honble Sir William Berkeley and the Assembly in Virginia, and Wm Drummond Esqre
governor of Carolina and the Assembly there doe make the like Act in their Severall & respective Assemblies, prohibiting the sowing, setting, planting, or in any waies tending any Tobacco in the said yeare within their severalle and respective jurisdic̄ons. And further whereas it is provided by the said Act that you the said Philip Calvert, Henry Coursey, Nathaniel Uty, Thomas Notley, Robert Slye and Thomas Brooke or any three of you be sent Comrs from mee with full power to treate & conclude upon a total cessation from sowing, setting, planting, or in any waies tending any Tobacco in and during the said yeare with the said Sr Wm Berkeley and the said Wm Drummond or Comrs from them and their respective Assemblies, to be impowered to the like one intent and purpose obliging all personnes whatsoever within this Province to observe whatsoever you the said Philip Calvert, Henry Coursey, Nathaniell Uty, Thomas Notley, Robert Slye and Thomas Brooke, or any three or more of you shall agree upon with the said Sr Wm Berkeley and Wm Drummond Esqre or the Comrs by them or their Assemblyes to be impowered as aforesaid tending only to the effectuall Execution of that Act as by the said Act (relac̄on being thereinto had) more at large appeareth, Now know yee that as well for the Confidence I have in you the said Philip Calvert, Henry Coursey, Nathaniell Uty Thomas Notley Robert Slye and Thomas Brooke as for that you were nominated Comrs by the Assembly aforesaid, Have constituted, appointed and ordeyned and empowered and doe by theis Presents Constitute, appoint ordeine and impower you the said Philip Calvert, Henry Coursey, Nathaniell Uty, Thomas Notley, Robt Slye and Thomas Brooke or any three or more of you Commissionrs to treate wth the said Sr Wm Berkeley and Wm Drummond or Commissioners from them and their Respective Assemblies as aforesaid And upon the said Treaty to agree and Conclude upon a Total Cessac̄on from sowing setting planting or any waies tending any Tobacco within any of these Colonies aforesaid, from the first of February one thousand Six hundred sixty six till the first of February, one thousand six hundred sixty seven Wherefore I doe request that the said Commissioners or any three of them be Creditted and believed in all things which they shall doe in and concerning the premises Promising to Ratifie confirme and approve whatsoever shall be done by them according to this my Commission and according to the true intent and meaning of the Act aforesaid given at St Maryes Under the Lesser Seale of the Province the 26th day of June in the yeare of his Lops Dominion over this Province Annoque Domini 1666.