Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 183

       On Tuesday the 27th have Order'd all our Justices & Lib. H. P

     Militia Officers to meet me at our Court House, I have sent

     for the Emperor and his great men to be there.

       Sr Capt Brightwells Information I never heard off, but our

     County is so Dam'd full of lyes; that I know not how allmost

     to Act but God direct for the Best that I may Act both for

     Good-of King & Countrey

     To Coll: John Addison              yor Servant

                     These.        G: Mason

                    July the 27th 1697.

      Stafford:     ss. The Officers of this County both Civill &

     Military being mett and sitting to Enquire & find out the

     Assassinates of the Woman & Children lately Comitted and

     Done by Indians upon full Enquiry therein doe Say.

     Civill & Mili- Whereas by Virtue of a Certain Sumons under p. 116

     tary Officers of

    Stafford Co:    the hand & Seal of Capt George Mason

     Accot about Comander in Chief of the Military fforces of this

        County bearing date the 19th day of this Instant

     committed by July wee the Subscribers the Officers both Civill &

     Indians . . Military therein are this day mett to Consult

     Examine & Enquire into the Assassination of the wife of Wm

     Wigenton & three of his childr by Indians Comitted & done

     at Ocquio in this County on ffryday the 9th of this Instant

     July which Sumons Contains in it that the sd Capt George

     Mason had taken & Comitted to Safe Custody some of the

     Assassinates of the aforesd persons & now in pursuance of

     that intent being mett and Sitting at the Cort House of this

     County and with our best skill making Examinations in WCh

     we had the previouse Advantage of having the Empr of

     Piscattoway & Some Great men of his Counsell wch by the

     Care of the sd Capt George Mason was brought by Reason

     the Accused Indians are of Pomunky in Maryland and Conse

     quently under his Comand or Tribute and therefore in the

     Course of our Examinations we only spoke to the Empr &

     gave to him such questions as was Expedient to be put to the

     Indians undr Examination and he to manifest his Integrity

     before he would proceed in the Examination did publickly

     Declare that if his Brother were Guilty of the murder of an

     English man he would be the 1st Man that should deliver him

     up to publick Justice and after this profession he proceeded

     in the Examination with great Assiduity and Never left it till

     he brought the Indians to Confession of the ifact in the face

     of Us and the whole Countrey tht the Mischief done was by