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

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.

Copy of King James' Lettre to
My Lord Baltemore upon
the Treaty of neutrality with
France in America.

James Rex.

Right Trusty and welbeloved, Wee greet you well.
Whereas for the composing of several disputes and differ-
ences that have arisen between our Subjects and the Subjects
of our good brother the most Christian King in America, and
for the preventing furthur occasions of controversy in those
parts, Wee have lately thought fitt to constitute and appoint
Comm^rs to treat with the Commissioners appointed by our said
good Brother the most Christian King for the purpose afore-
said, as also to settle and determine the Bounds and Limits of
the Colonies Islands and Territories within our respective
Dominions or depending on us in America for the Accom-
plishm^t whereof a furthur time will be requisite in regard of
the distance of those Places from whence the necessary Infor-
mations are to be received. We have therefore authorized and
empowered our said Commiss^rs to sign and seal an Instrument
with the Commissioners of the most Christian King for the pre-
venting all Acts of Hostility or violent proceedings between our
respective Subjects, a copy whereof is herewith sent to you, and
we do accordingly expect from you a conformity to our Direc-
tions herein, by avoiding all occasions of misunderstanding
between our Subjects and those of the most Christian King
without permitting any hurt to be done them in there persons
or Estates until the 11^th day of January 1688/9 and after that
time until Wee shall send you new Orders under our sign
manual it being our pleasure that you entertain a good corre-
spondence with the Governor & Officers of the said King in
those parts & take care that no just Complaints be brought unto
Us against you in that behalfe and soe Wee bid you heartely
Farewell from our Court at Whitehall this Twenty Second day
of January 1687, in the Third Year of Our Reign.
By His Majesties Command.
Sunderland L^d
To our right Trusty & well beloved Charles L^d Baltemore,
Lord Proprietary of our Province of Maryland in America.

The above written is a true Copy of the Original L^tre & sup-
perscription which is ready to be produced on occasion for
their Maj^ties Service, attested by me
N^a Blakiston
Collecter R^s
Maryland,
November 26^th 1689.