Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1696/7-98. 239

      The said Persons were severally by name called over and Lib. H. D.

    were found to be absent as follows Vizt

                                    Capt Hoskins,

    Capt Hardy, Mr Holland & Mr Taylor.

      They proceed to choose a President over the said Comittee p. 567

    and do choose the Honoble St Thomas Laurence Barrontt

    Secry for their President.

      Then they begin to debate upon & enquire into the

    severall matters and proposalls (this day offer'd) concerning

    the Indians, and after a deliberate consultation therein had,

    do Ordr the following Entry Vizt

      This Committee having taken into serious consideration the

    severall Letters, depositions and proceedings this day pro

    duced and read, in relation to some murthers and other

    Insolencies and Violencyes lately committed by Indians

    within this his Majties Province of Maryland, and in particular

    reflecting upon his Exncys Letter last Iune sent to his Exncy the

    Governr of Virginia with the Accot of what the Assembly had

    then done and transacted in Ordr to makeing a treaty with

    the Piscattoway Indians who for no cause or Reason had

    deserted this Province contrary to the Articles of Peace; this

    day Read, together wth the return of the proceedings of the

    Gentlemen that went upon that treaty. All wch being ma

    turely debated & the proceedings of his Exncy & Assembly in

    tht affair well approved off by this Committee; they, upon

    these fresh & further disturbances and Commotions since

    happening & suspected to be done by Indians; and consider

    ing how unfitt the present militia of the Countrey (as now

    constituted) is for the defence thereof, wch tht it may be taken

    care off at the least charge to the people and without the

    necessity of calling an Assembly wch cannot suddenly be gott

    together without great charge. (besides the inconvenience of

    meeting this Winter time) do agree and conclude in the first

    place to consult of the best means & way of securing and

    strengtheng the Garrison at Potomock & the ffrontiers thereof

    (they being so weak and Generally seated only with single

    hands) by a suitable & fitting supply of Men; and they are

    of Opinion tht an addition of five men to the Rangers of

    the sd Garrison, and eight men & two officers (to be

    Ordered as his Exncy thinks fitt -for defence of the ffrontier

    Plantations there) may be sufficient for them, in those parts;

    as has been proposed; And do further agree that it will be

    highly necessary for the further strengthening of the ifrontiers

    on the Westerne shore to choose 200 men out of the six

    Counties on the Westerne shore aforesaid; such as can be

    best spared (allwaies provided that none of the said men be

    taken out of the ifrontier Plantations) who may be ready