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

           Lib. H. D.     among them & then that there should be Murder done about

                 Choptico, wch should be laid on them Indians and by that

                 means the English should drive them from among them and

                 when that was done and those Indians from among the

                 English and Joyn'd with the Indians then would be a fit time

                 to make the warr or to that Effect.

                   These things or words to this Purpose this Depont did hear

                 the sd Indian Relate & discourse & further Saith not.

                 This discourse Taken acknowledged Examin'd & Sworn to by

         was since the       d

                 murder done., the s Henry More this 28th day of July 1697.

                          before me,

                                                  ffr Nicholson

               By his Exncy the Capt Genll A Proclamation

                 Proclamacon    Whereas it is Represented to me by the Copy

                 for the taking                      .

                 of an Indian  of a Record of the Examination of certain Indians

                 called Esq    taken before .his Mats Officers both Civill & Mili

                 Tom &catary of Stafford County in Virginia that Certain

                 Indians standing in Contempt and agt the Command of the

                 Emperor of Piscattoway to the Number of Eight or Ten

                 whereof an Indian Commonly known by the name of Esq

              p.     119 Tom was the head and leader of them are those that were the

                 perpetratrs and Actors of a late Wicked Assassination & murder

                 on one Wm Wigentons wife & three children and that the sd

                 Esq Tom was a principall Actor therein & this by the Con

                 fession of the Indians themselves & many other pregnant

                 proof thereof and that the sd Esq Tom being Conscious

                 thereof to himself would not Appear at the Examination

                 where he had Engaged to bee but lurkes and hides himself

                 in Mattawoman Chickawaxen & other places of this Province.

                   I being Resolved to doe my Utmost to detect such Villanies

                 and particularly to Seize and Secure the sd Esq Tom in Ordr

                 to bring him to Condign punishmt doe (in his Mats Name)

                 hereby Proclaim require and Comand all his Mats Loving

                 Subjects of and in this Province to make diligent search and

                 Enquiry after the sd Indian Esq Tom and him wheresoever

                 found to seize apprehend & Take into Custody Either alive

                 or Dead if any Resistance and him put under safe and secure

                 Guard till he be Conveyed and deliver'd to Capt George

                 Mason his Mats Comander in Cheif of Stafford County in Vir

                 ginia of whom they are required to take Receipt for the same

                 Indian of which all prsons are to take due Notice and give all

                 dilligent assistance at their Utmost perrili and for a Reward

                 of an Expedition herein I do assure the Party or Parties who

                 shall seize and take the sd Esq Tom and deliver him as aforesd