| Lib. R.
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before his Lspps Justices of the said County on the nineth
Day of August Anno Domini 1681:
Mr Henry Adames
Mr John Stone Capt Humphry Warren
Mr Robert Henley Mr Thomas Clipsham Comrs
Capt Ignatius Causin Mr Henry Hawkins
Capt William Barton Capt Henry Aspinall
Daniel Mathena examined in open Court before us saith
that an Indian came to his house in May or June last past two
yeares agoe and he had a parcell of Letters in a silk grass
baskett, and Desired his wife to putt them up and my wife
asked him from whence the Letters came, and the Indian
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answered that the Letters came from my Lord, and she asked
him where he did carry them and he told her that he carried
them to the Sinniquos, and my wife askt him what he carried
them there for, the Sinniquos cannot read, and the Indian
answered that the ffrench were hard by and that they could
read them for the Sinniquos for they were their Interpreters
to make a peace with us and the neighbour Indians. And
further saith not.
Robert Robins aged ffifty five yeares or thereabouts sworne
& examined in open Court saith that he demanded of Daniel
Mathena whether an Indian did not bring some Letters to his
house, and he answered that it was true, and that he and his
wife would take their oathes of it, and I askt him what quan-
tity of Letters there might be and he said that there was
almost a small Indian baskett full, but whither the Letters
were from my Lord or not this Deponent knoweth not but as
the common fame was, and further saith not.
John Martin aged ffourty yeares or thereabouts sworne &
examined in open Court saith that he heard Daniel Mathena
Say upon the Seaventeenth day of July Anno 1681: at Mrs
ffookes house at Portobacco it being then Sunday and there
being the Church, that there was an Indian came to his house
with a pcell of Letters, and this Deponent asked him from
whence the Indian had those Letters, and Daniel Mathena
answered that they came from my Lords, and further I asked
him when he had those Letters, and he answered about this
time twelve moneths further saith not
Whereupon in complyance to an ordr from the Rt honble the
Lord Propry beareing Date the Eighth Day of August Anno
Dmi. 1681 :
Daniel Mathena being examined in open Court together
with the Evidences (viz:) Robert Robins and John Martin
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