Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681-85/6. 39

goe to the Lower house and to press them to proceed to
something that might be for the Defence of the Province,
After which by members of their owne they lett us and the
upper house know that if writts issue for new Elections then
they will proceed to such matters as shall be recomended to
them, by which it is evident that noe consideration of the
Safety of their persons or property of their Estates and pro-
tection from plunder was soe Deare to them as an imaginary
priviledge. Things stood thus till the 25^th August when some
information given of the murderers that soe barbarously killed
the people neere point looke Out made them willing to joine
in a Committee to Examine that business but little came of it
till at last 30^h August wee pressing the Defence of the Pro-
vince The Lower house condescend to appoint a Committee
for that affaire but name not the Committees till 3 I^th After
which the Lower house fall to other business and the 3^d Sep-
tember in plaine tearmes certifye the Upper house by four
members of their owne that they have soe thinned their house
by setting out other Committees that they cannot spare
members to joine in the Committee for Defence of the Pro-
vince which in conscience reason, and our especiall recommen-
dacon ought to have been their principall care. The 4^th and
5^th September passed without further consideration of the
Province the 6^th wee reed: advice of robberys committed by the
Northern Indians and Communicated them to our two houses
of Assembly. Whereupon our Upper house voted horse and
Dragoone to be raised and kept on ffoote for 6 weekes for
security of the Province, and desire the concurrence of the
Lower house, but instead of a sufficient force to curb the
Enemy they vote frequent Musters to be made (as if the
Enemy were to be frighted with Drumms & colours) and
some scouts or Rangers to be sent out (without pay) to pre-
vent publick charge, but if murder were hereafter committed
they submitted all to our greater prudence, and this they

Liber R.

seconded by a second Message the 7^th of Septemb. soe
that we found noe sense of present danger entred the hearts
of the Lower house, nor any care of their neighbours lives:
they were resolved to stay till his Maj^ties Subjects were
murdered before they would consent to raise pay for Soul-
diers. The Eighth Septemb: Our Upper house presse the
Defence of the Province again to the Lower house but gett
noe answer, and againe the nineth descend to particulars, and
amongst the rest desire to know whither they would now
advise the protection of the Pascattoway Indians who had for-
merly the publick faith of both houses of Assembly for their
protection To which the same Day they Cathegorically answer
that the assisting those Indians will certainly draw a warr

p. 270