156 Assembly Proceedings, Oct. 20-Nov. 12, 1698.

Original
Journal.

sideration whether it may be Expedient to Continue or dis-
band the Rangers on Potomack
Then was P^rsented to his Ex^cy the following Adress from
the Members of this board (viz)

To his Ex^cy the Gov^r &

Wee have seen a Petition of the Inhabitants one the fron-
tiers of Potomack in Prince Georges County praying the
Continuance of the Guards of Rangers there settled and allso
a Representation of the Justices of that County Court and
other Representing these guards unnecessary and reflecting
on the Charge thereof upon Debateing wee Conceive it not
adviseable for the Safety of the Province to discharge all the
said Rangers
But in reguard you have been pleased to Communicate to
us some L^trs you lately receued from England whereby wee
perceiue your Ex^cy is appoynted by his Majestye to govern in
Virginia wee beleve and are of opinion that when the Indians
come to understand it It will put a Check to theire undue
Cariages to this Prouince and lay a restraint on their Inso-
lencyes knowing that they will not meett w^th any Countenance
or soe much as Harbour in that Gouerment under your Com-
mand while they render themselves obnoxius to this
Wee are Dobtfull that the Countenace they haue Mett with
there has too much Emboldened them in theire Cariage here
and therefore wee pray that when yo^r Ex^cy is Established there
will soe far reguard the Quiett of this place as not to Counte-
nance or any of those or other Indians belonging to this his
Majestyes Goverment that shall Depart from theire respective
places allotted them without the Consent thereof and not soe

p. 3

but give all free Libortye th^t shall be desired to Treat w^th them
in ord^r to procure a Right understanding which has been
formerly denied ffor these reasons wee are of opinion that the
p^rsant Rangers may be lessaned in Number from twelue to
Eight under the Command of Cap^t Owar who is now there
and such a Leivtenant as y^r Ex^cys shall appoynt to keep Inter-
changeable Rangeing by a party at a time till further Ordors
Henry Jowles John Courtes
Thomas Tench Thomas Brookes
John Adisson James ffrisby

Whereupon his Ex^cy is pleased to assure the Gentlemen of
his readiness to serve his Maj^ty for the good of this Province.
His Ex^cy understanding that the house of Delegates were
mett was pleased to send the Hon^ble Coll Henry Iowles and