in the Years 1689-90. 155

To the Right Hon^bIe the Lords Comm^ns
of their Maj^ties Plantacons.
The humble Petition of Barbarah
Smith the wife of Cap^t Rich^d Smith
in their Maj^ties Province of Mary^d
Sheweth.
That your Petitionrs said husband together with M^r Michaell
Tawney high Sheriff there, upon the rising in Maryland for
choosing Burgesses in July last having had no knowledge of
their Maj^ties accession to the Crown, & altogether ignorant of
any change of Government in England they chanced to oppose
the Elections purely to the end of keeping the Peace, and are
well knowne to be very good Protestants not repugnant to
Protestant Government.
And for as much as your Petitioner's said husband and M^r
Tawney are now Prisoners, and have been ever since the 25^th
of August last having a great charge of Children neere 100
miles of their habitacon and in a very indigent Condicon.
Therefore humbly prays your Lordspps Consideracon of the
premises, and in your great pity and compassion grant your
Lordpps. speedy Order for their Discharge.
And your Pet^r as bound shall ever pray etc.

The Peticon of Barbarah Smith.
1689.

The Narrative of Coll. Henry Darnall late
one of the Councill of the Right Hon^ble
the L^d Proprietary of the Province of Maryl^d
31^st Dec^er 1689.

On the 25^th of March last Coll: Jowles sent word to the
Council (then at S^t Marys) that three thousand Indians were
coming down on the Inhabitants, and were at the head of
Puttuxent River, and required Arms and Amunition for the
people to go against the said Indians, all which was with all
expedition sent him by Coll. Digges, the next morning I
went up myself to Coll. Jowles, were I found them all in arms,
and they told me they heard there was three Thousand Indians
at Matapany (from whence I then came) I assured the people
it was a false report, & offered myself to goe in person, if they
could advise me where any Enemies were, Indians or others,
whereat they seemed very well satisfied. I began to suspect
this was only a contrivance of some ill minded men who under
this pretence would raise the Country, as by what happened
afterwards we had reason to believe upon the most diligent
search and enquiry into this whole matter, noe Indians any-

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.