Extracts from a Council held at the Governors on Thursday the 16th day of March Anno Domini 1775

Were present

His Excellency Robert Eden Esqr

His Excellency was pleased to lay before the Board the following Deposition of Mr Robert Stratford Byrne Surveyor of His Majesty's Customs at Sassafras & Bohemia, Vizt  Here the Deposition is Entered (Copy of which was transmitted from the Custom House at Chester)

Which said Deposition was Read, as also Mr Byrne's Commission and Instructions.ー

Mr Byrne, being present alledged that he made Seizure of the Waggons, because he apprehended it to be his duty, as the Waggoners did not produce Cockets for the Goods they had in their waggons when he called upon them to produce them, being of opinion that goods ought not to be carried by Land from one Colony to another without Cockets for the articles carried ー That it was the view of the Commissioners at Boston, that he should exert himself to prevent an Intercourse by Land between Pennsylvania & Maryland unless Cockets were produced, and that he was made to expect an Income of £500 P annum, but that his Salary was very short of that sum, and that no Vessels entered or cleared in Bohemia (called Bahana in his Commission) or Sassafras the places where he is appointed to act as Surveyor

On Consideration of the aforesaid Deposition, the Board advise His Excellency in respect of the Violence complained of by Mr Byrne to Instruct the Attorney General to require his Deputy acting in the County where the said Violence is alledged to have been committed, to enquire into the matter, and if cause for it should appear, to apply to some Magistrate for proper process against those who have broken the Peace, in order that they may be punished according to Law, and also further advise, that a copy of Mr Byrne's Deposition be delivered to the Attorney General, the better to enable him to give Instructions to his Deputy

True Extract