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

            Lib. H. D.     Indian Enemies, till such time as an Assembly for other

                  matters may be conveniently called together, being not

                  willing to putt the Countrey to more charge then needs

                  must; Therefore took this method of having the concurrent

                  advice of the Justices of the Provinciall Court, the Grand

                  Inquest for the boddy of this Province, the Gentlemen that

                  went upon the Indian treaty, and those appointed by the

                  Genrll Assembly of this Province for laying the Publick Leavy;

                  whereby as neer as possible (without an Assembly were called)

                  the sense of the whole Countrey will be had.

                    Whereupon his Exncy is pleased to propose that for security

                  of the ifrontiers of this Province against Invasion of Indians

                  or the like there be chosen out of the Six Counties of the

                  Western Shore, two hundred men such as can be best spared,

                  in Ordr to be allwaies in a readiness upon any warning to

                  Rendezvous at such place or places as shall be directed,

                  where all necessary Arms &ca are to be lodged ready to fitt &

                  Equipp them out for service, and that each person appointed

                  find himselfe a good horse; And that the Publick Armes be

                  well fitted for that purpose & lodged accordingly; And tht

                  the ifrontiers of Potomock be assisted by 100: of the said Men

                  to be raised out of St Maries, Charles, and Prince Georges

                  Counties, upon any occasion or commotion of Indians And

                  that the Garrison & ffrontiers of Baltimore County be assisted

                  by 100 men to be appointed & raised out of Ann Arrundell,

                  Calvert, and Baltimore, County aforesd, but that none of the

                  aforementioned Men be kept in service; unless upon Invasion

                  or Commotion of Indians &ca

               p.     562 That they Recommend some fitt persons for Officers to

                  Comand those men, who shall receive Comissions accordingly:

                  but that none of the said men be taken out of the ifrontier

                  Plantations.

                    That two hundred men be appointed in likemanner out of

                  the five Counties on the Eastern Shore to be fitted & fixt

                  with the Countrey arms &ca which are to be lodged in par

                  ticular places whither they may know to repair and make

                  their Rendevouz. Officers to be recommended and Com

                  missionated as aforesaid.

                    That the men have all Horses and be accoutred accordingly.

                    That five men more be added to the Garrison, upon Poto

                  mock, and eight men & two Officers besides for defence of

                  the ifrontiers in those parts.

                    That Smiths be Imprest & Overseers appointed to see that

                  the Publick Armes are well fitted & fixt.

                    That there be two or three Boats provided & got ready to

                  be kept in the most convenient places upon Potomock, for

                  sending expresses or the like (upon any occasion) by water.