Copy of a Commission granted by my Governor & Councell
to Henry Coursey Esq^re for making Peace w^th the Indians.

30^th Apr: 1677.

Thomas Notley Esq^re Lieutenant and Chief Governor of the
Province of Maryland and the R^t Hon^ble Charles Absolut Lord
& Prop^r of the Provinces of Maryland and Avalon Lord Baron
of Baltimore etc: To all to whom these p^rsents shall come or
any waise appertaine, Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting.
Whereas the Susquesahannohs, Cinnigos and divers other
Nations of Indians Inhabiting to the Northward of this Prov-
ince, have formerly Committ^d divers murd^rs and other outrages
within this Province upon w^ch there hath ensued a warr between
his Ma^ties Subjects residing within this Province and the Govern-
ment of his said Lordshipp as well as with those residing under
the Government of his Sacred Ma^ties Collony of Virginia and
the s^d Susquesahannohs, and whereas the said Susquesahannohs
have sithence and lately desired to come to a Treaty of Peace
with his s^d Lordshipp, and have (as I am informed since the
said overture, submitted themselves to and putt themselves
under the protection of the Cinnigos or some other nations of
Indians resideing to the Northward of this Province, and within
or neere unto the Territory of his Royall Highness the Duke
of Yorke. Know yee that I have constituted, ordained, ap-
pointed, and authorized, as I doe hereby constitute ordaine
appoint & authorize Henry Coursey Esq^re one of his Lordshipps
Councell for this Province as Embassador or Envoy to treate
with and Conclude a firm peace with the said Susquesahannohs,
Cinnigos or any other Indians now unknowne to us inhabiting
or residing to the Northward of us within or without the
Territory of his s^d Royall Highness, and from whom we have
already received injury or may hereafter reasonably suspect
we may receive injury by the Confederacy between them and
the said Susquesahannohs upon such reasonable Tearmes as
to him shall seeme meete and Convenient according to his
instructions, And forasmuch as the said Indians do now reside
for the most part within the Territory of his said Roy^ll High-
ness, or at least cann so be treated with, but by a Journey to
be had through his said Roy^ll Highness's Territory, I doe here-

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.
B. B. p. 5