Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97. 371

    his Books, that it may be applyed as designed to alleviate the Lib. H. D.

    charge of the province so farr as it will go.

      By our scituation We are a ifrontier to the ifrench of Canida

    and their Indians being in open Warr frequent incursions are

    made on both sides, Count ifrontiniack keeps 500 Men con

    stantly at Mount Royall their next considerable ffort to Us

    and has this summer put ffifty Men and a years Provision into Whitehall

    Cadaracqui a Regular ffort of stone & lime opposite to the

    middlemost Nation of our Indians from which ffort he galls &

    harasses them so that they crye aloud to me for assistance to

    beat them from thence which I not being able to give doubt

    the discouragemt may force them to a peace with Canida, then

    it will appear they are nearer to Virginia & Maryland than to

    New York. I am informed your settlements are scattered.

    This defection if it should happen will be of ill consequence I

    doubt both to Virginia & Maryland. I have been lately at

    Albany and given the Indians a large present of Arms, Amu

    nition & Cloathing, but farr short of what is wanting for their

    Encouragemt This Cadaracqui diverts them from hunting so

    their whole dependance is vpon Us. I shall not be wanting

    in my Duty. By the way of New-found Land We hear

    Admirall Russell has taken ffifteen ffrench Men of warr and

    done a great deale of Damage to Marselles, I am

                        Yor Exncies humble Servant    Maryland

                                 Ben:  ifietcher

          Answer to the above Letter is as follows, Vizt

                   Port of Annapolis, Novembr 29th 1695.

    His Excell Sr

    Answer to the Governr I have the favour of your Excell of October the

    of New Yorks Lre 5th and am very glad to hear of Admirall Russe!ls

          good success agt the ifrench and hope in God We 277

    shall hear more good News from England; but We have had

    no Vessell from thence this ffall, neither do I hear of any come

    into Virginia.

      I am not in the least conscious to my self that I have been Whitehall

    any ways wanting in my duty to his most sacred Majesty

    according to the vtmost of my power, in assisting your Excell

    pursuant to her late Mats Royall Commands, but I cannot

    force Assemblies more than others, but it was the only reall

    quarrell I had with them about assisting your Excell Gov

    ernmt of New-York; neither dare I go so farr as apparently to

    hazard the peace & quiet of this his Mats province.

      I am very sorry that your Excell had not enough to give

    your Indians at Albany for their Encouragemt and that the

    ifrench at Cadaracqui divert your Indians from hunting and