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

            Lib. H. D.By his Exncy the Capt Genll &ca

                                  A

                           Proclamation

                  Maryland ss

                    Whereas I lately issued a Proclamation, under nay hand &

                  Seale, bearing date the 28th day of July last past therein

                  promising a reward of five pounds sterll for the seizing &

                  apprehending a certain Indian Man, known & called by the

                  name of Esqr Tom, who by confession of the Indians and

                  many other pregnant proofes is said to have been a Principall

                  actor in the late horrid & barbarous assassination, comitted in

                  Stafford County, on one William Wiggentons wife & three

                  Chilldren in his Majtys Colony in Virginia, and who hath

                  absconded & fledd from Iustices there. And forasmuch as I

                  am since informed that notwithstanding such my Proclama

                  tion he hath been publickly seen & discoursed by some

                  persons in Charles County, who omitted their duty in the

                  prcemises, I do hereby in his Majtys name (by & with the

                  advice & consent of his Majtys Honoble Councill) will& require

                  as also strictly charge & Comand all officers Civill & Millitary

                  and all other his Majtys loving Subjects within this Province to

                  make diligent pursuit and inquiry after the said Indian;

                  strictly prohibitting all persons whatsoever from any waies

               p. 559 aiding sheltering or assisting him the said Esqr Tom (under

                  the severest penalties) but that on the contrary they seize

                  apprehend & take into custody the Indian Esqr Tom,

                  either alive or dead, if any resistance, and him putt under

                  safe and secure Guard till he be convey'd & deliver'd to Capt

                  George Mason his Majtys Comandr in Chiefe of Stafford

                  County aforesaid of whom they are required to take receipt

                  for the same Indian; Of wch all persons are to take due

                  notice & give all diligent assistance, at their utmost perill.

                  And for a reward thereof & expedition therein I do assure

                  the party or partyes, who shall seize & take the said Esqr

                  Tom and deliver him as aforesaid Tenn pounds Sterll. Given

                  at the Town & Port of Annapolis under the Broad Seale of

                  the Province this 18th day of October in the 9th year of the

                  Reign of our Sovereign Lord King William the third &ca

                  Anoq Domini 1697.

                                                  ffr: Nicholson

                   God save the King

                   Then Read a Letter writt by Mr Edwd Boothby of Baltimore

                  County unto his Exncy sent & directed, bearing date the 19th

                  of August last past, giving an account of some insolencies

                  lately comitted by Indians in those parts, together wth an