Assembly Proceedings, May 26-June 11, 1697. 57

that the Colonel should say he would come and take the Forte
with thirty men.
And that they were informed Cap^t Halloday should say he
would engage to take the forte with forty men himselfe.
And that they further said that M^r Stoddart and another
man should offer to swear to two or three of their men that
they were concerned in that murther which they knew to be
an untruth for that none of them were concerned therein but
suppose it to be foreigne Indians.
Another reason that they alledged for their goeing was
that severall people bought their Lands over their heads, so
that they had no certainty thereof without there leave, and
that there would be neither hogs or shotts killed but they
were still blamed for it and called Rogues and Doggs.
And that the English do yearly tyme after tyme pull down
their fences and distroy their Corne fields with there horses
before they can gather it.
As to their coming back they utterly refuse, also excuse
themselves from coming to the Assembly being very weary
and unable to travell so farr, but withall say that they desire
to live peaceably there and to pass to and fro freely without
trouble as formerly.
And that the English should be wellcome to come to their
forte as often as they please.
And says that he finds the great part of the Indians are
inclinable to returne to Maryland Especially the comon sorte
of men and Women, and that Severall of them are allready
come backe, and more resolve to come suddenly provided
they may live peaceably and quietly, and that they see the
English are not angry with them.
And that they speake very well of his Excellency; Saying
that they know him to be in no fault, but that he was allways
very kind to them; and that it was the men under him that
continually abused them.
William Barton.

Then were read the Several Depositions of George Achey,
William Clarkson, Thomas Gatton, Terrence Donin, Margaret
Lewis, Robert Robinson, William Stinson, and Francis Mar-
bury, relating to the Pisscattaway and Mountaine Indians, yet
not particularly affecting them with the murther of the negro.

The Hon^ble Colonel Charles Hutchins being desire to declare
what he knew of the Nanticoke Indians on the Eastern Shore.
Thereupon he relates that they have made a new Emperor,
and that they entertaine and receive Strange Indians. Three
cannoes full of Indians from the Western Shoare being mett
some where about the Straights going over to them.

L. H. J.

p. 136