28 Archives of Maryland 349 (1745)

Deer and Other Wild Beasts and Game their Chief Business) come from the Neighbouring Colonies and not only destroy the Deer and Other Game, of which the Inhabitants ought to have the sole Advantage — exclusive of all Strangers, but also set the Woods on fire, whereby the Pasturage is destroyed as well as the Peoples fencing and Even their Dwellings often endanger'd and that the said Hunters committ divers Other Irregularities to the great Prejudice and Loss of many the Inhabitants of this province and against the Peace thereof Wherefore in Order, as much as in me lies, to suppress the said Hunters and to prevent the Injuries they do to the Good People of this Province I have thought fit with the Advice of his Lordships Council of State to issue this my Proclamation strictly charging and commanding all his Lordships Officers or Others to apprehend all Non Residents ( Indians only excepted ) who shall presume to hunt for any Deer or Other Wild Beast or Game or fire the Woods in any part of this Province, and Every such Person so apprehended to carry before some Magistrate, and that Every Magistrate before whom any such pson shall be brought upon sufficient or probable Proof of the fact, to take sufficient Security for the Appearance of such Offender at the next Court to be held for the County where the Offence shall be Committed to answer for such Offence, and in Default of such Security to commit the Offender to Prison until such Security be given or the Party be delivered by due Course of Law Given at the City of Annapolis this 10th day of October in the 31st year of his Lordships Dominion Annoq Domini 1745.