434 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97.

        Lib. H. D.           May the 20th 1696.

              The Councill again Sate & were

        Whitehall               prseflt,

        His Exncy ffrancis Nicholson Esqr Capt Genll &Ca

                   Coll George Robotham) Coll David Brown

                   Coll Nicho Greenberry

                   Coll Charles Hutchins Thomas Brooks Esqr

           p. Nantecoke Indians The Nantecoke Indians appear at the Board, who

              appear & signifyed by their Interpreter that there were seaven

              make aTowns belonging to them, and tht one out of each

              present Town was sent in the name of the rest, to pay their

              acknowiedgmts and accordingly each of them made a present

              of skins; to which his Excell was pleased to Return for Answer

        Whitehall that it was not his Custom to Receive any presents, but how

              ever he would (as an acknowledgmt of their kindness) accept

              of one skin from each Town but that for the future, when they

              had any Business here they should forbear bringing presents,

              for that their business should be as fully answered without as

              with prsents

                Then they further acquaint his Excell that there are three

              Towns more belonging to them, for which they Offer three

              skins, as an Acknowledgmt for the sd three Towns and desire

              to know in generall his Exncies pleasure; who is pleased to tell

              them that he Ratifyes & confirms whatsoever power Governr

              Copley had before given them, and in Return of their prsents

              gave them a prsent of severall bottles of Ruflie.

                The following Report of Mr Attorney Gen” vpon S' ‘I'homas

              Laurence's petition & the Lord Baltemores answer about the

              Land Office &ca being Read, was Ordered to be Entred in

              the Journall of this Board, being a Copy from the Originall

              attested by the honoble John povey Esqr one of the Clerks of

              his Mats most honoble privy Councill, together with a Copy of

              the Ordr of Councill thereon, attested by the honoble Sr Thomas

              Laurence Baront Secretary of this Province.

                    May it please your Majesty

              Mr Attorney Genlls Re- In humble obedience to your Mats Ordr of Refer

                     ence of the ffourth of this instant Janry vpon the

              Sr Tho: , petition of Sr Thomas Laurence Secry of Maryland

                     relating to his Office & the passing Grants in that

           p. 348 about the Province; and the Lord Baltemores Answer there-

              Land Office vnto I have heard both parties therevpon, and the

              first thing in controversy between them, being whether the