Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 457

        His Excellency is pleased to ask the Indians if the Land be Lib. X

      run out according to Ordinance of Assembly & they say that

      it is not

        The said Indians are advised as long as the Rogues the

      Piscattoways are out always to take passes that they may be

      known & more freely Suffered to pass And repass

        His Excellency tells them that as long as they behave them

      selves well they will be friendly looked upon & Protected by

      this Government that he could have the Emperor of Piscatto

      way & his Indians knocked in the head but that he lets them

      alone to be sick & Starve in the Mountains & now they are

      coming in again

        The Choptank Indians say that one William Drawer by

      Chance snapping of a Gun Shott one of their Women which

      is dead the Indians say that about one hundred men of them P. 81

      are dead on the Eastern Shore And Complain that some of

      the English forwarne them from hunting upon their Land

        Ordered that the Indians complaint & what they now Said

      be sent to Major Thomas Ennals and Mr Thomas Hicks the

      Magistrates appointed by act of Assembly to decide Differ

      ences between the English and Indians

        And the following Letter signed by his Excellency was

      given the said Indians who were told not to give Credit to

      any Flying Storys but always apply themselves to the Gentle

      men appointed by act of Assembly to decide differences

      between the English & them

                     Port of Annapolis July the    1698

      Gentlemen

        By the Inclosed you will see the Indians Complaint which

      they make to me about their Lands &Ca therefore to the end

      no Misunderstanding may happen between them & us I do

      command you to make due Enquiry thereinto & endeavor to

      settle that matter with them which if you cannot do, you are

      required to send an Accot thereof to the Council about the

      8th of September next at Annapolis where it will be consid

      ered & adjusted I am

        To Lieut Collo Tho Ennals & Your affectionate Friend

        Major Tho Hicks Magistrates Fra Nicholson

        appointed by Act of Assembly

        for deciding Differences be

        tween the English & Indians

        The Nanticoke Indians present his Excellency with a Piece

      of Wampum of which he took a small piece & returned them p 82