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

         Lib. H. D. Majtys Honoble Councill, that if in case his Exncy the Governr of

                New Yorke or my Lord Bellamont should come in & send

                about assistance for men or money from this Government

                what answer should be given thereto; being willing to prevent

                calling a Councill together in the winter time; It being so

                difficult travelling and passing over the Bay. To wch they

                returne for answer; that considering the great difficulty some

                of them have found in getting to this place at this time, the

                which will be much more hazardous and dangerous to them

                in the depth of Winter, do therefore wholy leave it to his

                Exncys Prudence to return such answer upon any such Message

                from New Yorke, as in his wisdom & Prudence he shall think

                fitt; being assured he will do nothing but what is for his

                Majtes Service & good of the Countrey; and that withall do

                declare themselves to be of opinion, that this Province

                (through means of the severall disturbances and commotions

                by Indians and more dayly threaten'd) is altogether uncapable

                of Affording any assistance to that Government seeing that

                for strengthening the ffrontiers thereof they have been forced

                to raise an Additional number of Rangers now in pay besides

                two hundred men on each side the Bay, to be in a readiness,

                which tis not known how soon they may be made use off.

                  Ordered that his Majtes Lawyers prepare a warrant for the

                seizing & apprehending Amos Nicholls of Ccecill County,

                being informed against for severall notorious crimes and mis

                demeanors and that they leave a blanck for some person to be

                imployed about the taking of him to be inserted by the

                Honoble James ffrisbey Esqr and if taken, that he be carryed

                before the sd James ifrisbey Esqr In order that he may give

                Bond to appear before his Exncy in Councill the next time

                they shall be appointed to meet together to answer the

                premises.

                  A Warrant being accordingly prepared was read &

                approved off and signed by his EXnCY and Ordered to pass the

                Broad Seale of the Province, wch follows in these words Vizt

                  Maryland ss. fforasmuch as complaint hath been made

            p.  unto me ffrancis Nicholson Esqr Capt Genrll and Governr in

                Chief of his Majtes sd Province and Territory &ca and to the

                Honoble his Majtes Privy Councill of the same by severall of

                the Inhabitants of Ccecill County that one Amos Nicholls of

                Coecill County aforesaid is a very vagrant and wandering

                person, a very evill doer and is guilty of a great many hainous

                and notorious crimes and Offences, as well against his Majtes

                Governmt of this his Majtes Province, as also to the great hurt

                & damage of his Majtes Subjects and against his Majestes peace

                &Ca

                  These are therefore in his Majestes name to Authorize you