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Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1678—1679. 241
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Qu: Whither any of those two Nations with whom the
Susqs live had among them any English that were taken out
of Virginia last yeare.
Answ: There are among them two English wch were taken
last yeare whom they have soe farr corrupted that they are
become all one Indians with themselves and as forward for
any mischief as they themselves cann be, there were also more
English among them but whither they are Ransomed or killed
or what is become of them they know not.
Qu: Whither the aforementioned severall nations of Indians
did not vsually goe once or twice a yeare to tht place where
the English (as they call them) live, to trade.
Answ: Yes and that the next moneth the said Indians are
intended thither, where they trade with Skinns and receive in
truck Powder Shott, Gunns, and Matchcoates.
Qu: whither any ffrench lived among those Indians at the
four forementioned Townes from whence the Indian came
that intends back again.
Answ: that the ffrench sometimes came among them to
trade and that some of them are frequently amongst those
Indians.
His Lspp: p the Interpreter then gave them to undrstand
that he was very gladd to see them and to receive this rela-
tion from them wherein he tooke a greate Deale of Satisfac-
tion, Desireing that Indian the next time he came for Mary-
land to bring a ffrench man with him for that his Lspp: undr-
stood ffrench and could discourse wth him.
To wch the said Indian replied smileing that it was not to be
expected for that he would never be able to undtake &
pforme soe long a journey. His Lspp further told them that
he was of Opinion that there were severall ffrench men vsed
to come Downe in those parties they have from time to time
sent out
To wch they say possibly there may be some such among
them as likely as those two English before mentioned
The Speaker then pduces and layes upon the Table a
broad Belt of Peake saying this is Our Paper and although
the Axe seemes to be laid at our heads for the present Yett
wee intend to send this Belt as a token of our Love to the
four nations of Indians from whence Our ffriend came by
whom we intend to signifie our Love and ffriendshipp towards
them for all their civility shewed to him, but whither he may
live to carry it to them or be killed by the way we know not,
but are resolved to venture.
The said Indian p whom it was to be sent then Speakes and
Saies that he will carry it and Deliver it to One of the greatest
men of the greatest nation of those Indians as a token of
ffriendshipp and Amity from the Emperour of Pascattoway
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Lib. R.
p. 78
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