Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 163

    Related being much abused Just before by the sd Goss, and Lib. H.

    at the funerall of the aforesd Goss, one Capt Sneads one of the

    Justices of Philadelphia coming amongst them that were drink

    ing tould them that they should behave themselves sivilly or

    else goe their ways homewards: they being in drink gave him

    some Oprobrious words, and fell upon him, upon which he

    drew his Sword and stabb'd one of them, who it was I do not

    know I hear he is since Recover'd. The Pyrats were much

    allarm'd at that time, being as I was tould Occasion'd by Capt

    Thomas Robinson his Coming up there with some CoThission

    to call them to Accot I do not question but his Exncy hath had

    a full Accot of the sd Robinson before now of what Occur'd in

    his Stay there, he being gone Down last week to Virga

      While I was up at Philadelphia one Capt James Trent came

    up who had left his Ship mounted with 36: Guns below the

    Town of New Castle and brought in above 150 Scotts Serv

    ants but little Goods, he did search for me understanding I

    did live in Maryland, and asked me whether I could give him

    incouragemt to Come to Maryland he wanted a Loading

    Tobacco to wch made Answer that none or little was to be

    gott before the New Crop, upon wch I do believe he doth

    intend to make a voyage to Barbadoes, and so in the ifall to

    Come there, I doe suppose he doth serve in the same imploy

    with Mr James Coutts: this being the Substance of what I doe

    know of the matter, have thought my Duty in Ordr to his

    Exncys Comands to acquaint you with and Subscribe,

                                Yor humble Servt

                               Matt:   V: Heyden

    Copy of Coll Sr

    Codringtons

   L re to the     I have yors of the 13th instant by the Bearer

    Bermuda abt John Jordan Master of yor Express Sloop who

    the English Arrived here Yesterday abt noone In Answer to

    & ffrench which I shall give you the best Accot I can of the

   Squadron. - .   State of our Enemies Fleet which is as followeth.

             Its now three months since an Express boat arrived

    at Barbadoes & from thence dispatch't, ifnediately for Jamaica,

    who brought a pacquet for me (as he did for the President of

    that Island) from his Maty Dated at Whitehall the 23th of

    Novembr last, Giving me Accot of the ffrench their making

    preparations of Twenty Six men of Warr Including ffire Ships p.

    and Tenders, then at Brest, with 3000: Land Souldiers, with

    design (as was believed) on some part of the West Indies,

    and wch Accot hath been since confirmed by severall private

    hands, and who further said that Squadron had left ffrance

    in Ordr to their intended design; and wch hath Occasioned the

    Islands of my Governmt to have been on strict Guard untill