Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97. 375

    Arms, Amunition & provision laid there for the retreat & Lib. H. D.

    recruit of their Army of ffifteen hundred Men, designed in

    January next to invade Albany; ffive hundred of which is

    intended to beset the Maquass, whilst the other part lyes par. P z8i

    due, expecting ffort Albany will be weakened & neglected by

    soldiers being drawn forth to the Maquass assistance at which

    time they design with the thousand to assault it. Moreover

    being credibly informed of the great desire the Ottowa Indians

    have to be at peace with the English & Maquass of Albany

    they being a stout numerous & Warlike Nation, whose num

    ber, courage & trade the ifrench dreads the loss off Severall

    of the Chief in request among them have earnestly intreated

    some of our English Captives to the ffrench to advertize the

    same to the Governor of New-York and that if he will send

    his Maquass with terms of peace they will readily Agree to it,

    many of them not only so, but will joyne in a body of a thou

    sand with the English & Maquass of Albany to invade any

    part of Canida, and likewise bring all their great Trade of

    peltry to Us, being much more near to them than Canida, all

    which will prove of very great loss & disadvantage to the

    Enemy.                            Mat: Carey

                  A true Copy Examined p

    Novembr 25th 1695          Isa: Addington Secry

      His Exncies Answer to Governr ifietchers Letter follows, Vizt

                     Port of Annapolis, ffebry 4th 1695/6.

           Sr

    His Exncies Your Excellencies Letter of Decembr 13th J have

    Answer to

    the Governr and am very sorry that I cannot send the confirm-

    or New ation of the News about Admirall Russell, but by an

           Accot which I have from London & Bristoll of the

           begining of November, he was safe Arrived in

    England with most of the ffleet, and that Sr George Rooke Whitehall

    was gone with a Squadron to Command in the Streights.

      His Maty (thank God) was safe Arrived, the Parliamt was

    dissolved and a new one choosing.

      Inclosed is a Copy of a Letter which I had from Messiers

    Perry & Lane and send it you all that you may see the strange

    alteration about Guineas, gold & silver, and Trade; and par

    ticularly what concerns ours.

      I daily expect a ship from London, and I hear I have Letters

    in her, and suppose the Whitehall ones are there for I have p. z8z

    had none from thence yet.

      I hope Mr Brooks & Mr Nicholls are safe Arrived in Eng

    gland, & suppose they will make no other than a f2ir & true

    Representation of the circumstances of his Mats province,