Proceedenp of the Council of Maryland, 1694 97.   537

   be Surrendered up to the honrd his Mats Justices in Court now Lib. H. U.

   sitting to whom it is hereby Recommended & Ordered tht

   such speedy methods be Used & care taken as they shall see

   requisite on this occasion; and that for the future (for pre

   vention of a like Evill) a Rule of Court be made (if legall

   and proper to be done) for to Oblige the Clerk constantly to

   write out fair every night the Minutes or heads of every days

   proceedings by him to be Attested and Read over always the

   next morning and afterwards delivered to the Cheif Justice

   for his Keeping—And it is further Represented that a

   Representacon be made unto his Exncy what Clerks they think

   are Requisite and Necessary to be kept in the Secretaryes

   Office for the due Execution and dispatch of all business

   thither coming to the End such Ordr therein may be made as

   is fitting.

     And it is further Recommended that the two Provll Justices

   living in Ann Arrundell County be appointed to come to Town

   one Week or ffortnight as it shall be agreed upon by turns for

   to see the sd Judgmts Enter'd & tht it be Recommended to the

   Assembly that an allowance be made them for their trouble

   therein.

     It is also further Recommended tht a Rule of Court be made

   for their Sitting every day by nine of the Clock in the morn

   ing and so to continue Sitting untill four in the Afternoon and

   that the Justices Lawyers & other prson Obliged to tend the

   Court, tht do not come according to the time appointed be

   fined without Excuse.

                         Signed p Ordr

                             Hen:     Denton C. Concil.

   Gov. ffletch- Sr.   I thank your Exncy for the care you had

     Lre abt of the Packetts. I have mett the Sachems of the

   Nations of ffive nations & done my endeavour to Confirm &

   Indians. Strengthen them in their ffriendship the inclosed

   print will give you particulars.

     I have intelligence the ifrench Governr intends to Attack

   Albany this Winter & has recruites from ifrance which was

   confirmed by Capt Paxton who some time agoe was prisonr

   on Board a ffrench Man of Warr and did learn that Count p. z8

   ifrontiniack had such Commands from the ffrench King. A

   Party consisting of 21 ffrench & one Indian were sent from

   Mount Reall with Commission to doe all the mischief they

   Could against the English and Indians of this Province their

   Instructions was if possible to gett prisoners and intelligence

   13 of them lately appeared near Albany and were encountered

   by River Indians who beat them the Capt wounded and two