Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 225

                  Octobr the 14th 1697         Lib. H. D.

           The Council again sate and were present

     His Exncy ffran° Nicholson Esqr Capt Genrll &ca

            Sr Thomas Laurence Barrontt Secry

        Coll:     Henry Jowles Thomas Tench Esqr

        Coll:     Geo: Robotham Thomas Brook Esqr

        Coll:     Nicho Greenberry Iames ffrisbey Esqr

     Severall Letters, depositions & papers concerning the Ind

   ians &ca were produced to the Board & read; as also what late

   Orders were given from his Exncy & some of his Majtys honorble

   Councill upon the late Murther committed at the Garrison.

   His Exncy acquainting the Board how farr he has proceeded &

   what further directions he left with Coll Addison for strength

   ening the frontiers & Garrison. He is pleased to demand of

   the Board what Course is most fitt & proper to be taken therein;

   Whereupon the matter being maturely debated & considered;

   it is the opinion of this Board, that the calling of an Assembly

   this Winter time, upon this occasion, will be very chargeable

   and inconvenient; wch charge is supposed might go a great

   way in maintaining a Sufficient number of men for strength

   ening the ifrontiers and preserving them in safety this Winter,

   but that they hold it advisable to take the Opinion of the

   Justices & Grand Iury of the Provinciall Court (now mett

   together) what their sense is, and to thoroughly consult the

   best methods of securing this his Majtys Province & Govern

   ment in peace and safety from all attempts & assaults of the

   Indians; and especially to settle the matter about the Piscatta

   way Indians, who are suspected to have been guilty of all these

   disturbances & villanies; which his Exncy is pleased to say can

   not well be done till Coll Addison comes to Town who is

   hourly expected.

     The Gentlemen that were sent to the said Piscattaway

   Indians upon the treaty Ordered last June, were comanded

   (according to a late summons for their appearance at this

   Board) to be called in; and accordingly appeared Major p.

   Smallwood Major Barton Mr Hutchison Mr Wight & Mr

   Hawkins the Honoble Thorns Tench & Thomas Brooke Esqrs

   Two of the Gentlemen that also went upon that Treaty

   being present.

     His Exncy is pleased to demand of them what their senti

   ments were as to the said Indians, and whether they did

   believe they were sincere & hearty in expressing their resolu

   tions of returning for Maryland, when they discoursed them

   upon the treaty. Who do severally make answer that they

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