in the Years 1689-90. 159

County Arms, and who should be their Officers, never mention-
ing the dutyor faithfulness they owed to your Lordship,and your
substitutes (which I believe was forgettfulness, butt hoped that
none of 'em (by what they heard read) would act anything
against your Lordship, or your Countrey, and to be quiet and
peaceable & in a small time all would be well. Two or three
dayes after came up Coad's circular letters commanding every
County to choose four delegates, who were to be ready at
S^t Maries on the 26^th August. The 24^th they sent, for my arms
and ammunition & Mad^m Lloyd's; betwixt thirty and forty
men headed by Sweatnam, who had a warrant (in their
Majestys' names) from Edward Man, Will^m Combes, and J^no
Edmondson to take what arms, and amunition they could
find for the country's use; for that our Indians (haveing fled
from the towne, and cutt up their corne) had reported, that
they onely staid till the two great men came from the North,
meaning Coll: Darnall and Major Sewall, who the day before
parted from my house. I was resolved to find out who was
the Inventor of those falsities, and rid down to Oxford to our
Burgesses, who were just then takeing boat, where I mett a
great Company of people, who askt me whether I knew not of
Coll: Darnall and Major Sewalls being at our Indian towne:
No, said I; but I know they were last night att Coll: Lowe's,
and are now gone home. Upon this I desired the Burgesses
to send some people to the Indians, to know the cause why
they deserted the Towne, and betook themselves to that
swamp; they said, it was a folly to goe, for the Indians would
not come out except Coll: Coursey came; I tould 'em a Jacka-
hick from him would doe, and I would frame one, and send
M^r John Hawkins with itt, Att last they pickt out four or
five men (who knew best where the Indians were) and signed
instructions for 'em to enquire as above; they went, and
brought the answer which your Ldp has a Copy off. This was
the Tuesday; & because Will: Combes was to muster by Coade's
order on Thursday, I stay'd with him, to see how my old souldiers
would look upon me being cashier'd. On Thursday night I
came home. The Wednesday following came a Justice of
peace and three or four more, who had a kindness for me, and
askt me where I was last Saterday where, sayes I, here: Lord
Jesus! said they, what lyes goes abroad? why, what's the matter?
said I; Begod, said the Justice, Dick Sweatnam had much
adoe to keep Capt: Hatfield and his Company from comeing to
take you; take me, said I; for what? why, sayes he,there's two
men att old Watts' will swear that last Saturday they see you
over against the Indian towne, where you shot of two pistols,
and three or four cannows full of Indians came over to you, to
whom you tould that within ten days you would be with 'em at

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.