Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1684-89. 553

Lettr to Coll. Stevens from Councill about his treaty with Nant: Incl:

The following letter was together with the afore- goeing Instructions sent to Coll: Stevens from the Deputyes Lieuts vizt Coll. Stevens.

Liber B. P. R. O.

Sir, The letter lately sent you by.Coll. Darnall and Mr Hill touching the Indians will inform you what apprehensions we have of their ill designes against the English which letter and precept therewith sent wee approve of and now being sufficient of the Deputyes met to sitt in Councill have taken the same into consideration and beleeve it necessary and that his Lordsps and the Countryes service require that some able person be imployed to the Indians to propose the renewment of the Peace made with their old Empr Unnacocassinon and to discover how they stand affected towards us and haveing had large and long experience of your provident management and circumspection in affaires of this nature think none more capable and fitt to undertake this business then yourself Wee think it convenient some one or more of your County be joyned with you herein but such persons we leave wholly to yourself to choose as by our inclosed Instructions you may perceive you may which In- structions we desire you with all expedition to pursue and as often as occasion shall require you dispatch messengrs to us to give us a continuall account of your management of this affair and your Proceedings herein as likewise we desire you if you apprehend any likelyhood of a warr, that you with all speed account the Gentlemen of the neighbour Countyes there with, as alsoe if on the contrary you apprehend noe danger there of you give them the satisfaction of notice, Wee have information that the late Empr by some that wish not well to the English was poisoned and that the present Empr is little better than an Usurper which whether it be convenient to mention anything thereof to them we wholly leave to your prudence supposeing you know better how matters stand with them then wee can doe at this distance, therefore have omitted the same in our said instructions, If the Empr and his Indians will come over hither (which we are very desirous of if you can persuade them) wee desire you to give us speedy notice thereof to make provisions accordingly and that by all meanes you afford us your company and assistance here at same time Wee desire you upon all the aforesaid occasions or any other you think may require it to press Boat and hands if by water and horse if by land and not

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wait other opportunityes soe wee comend ourselves most hear- tily to you and rest Your Lo: Friends Henry Darnall St Maryes Wm Digges July 2 2d 1687 Nicholas Sewall

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