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

         Lib. H. D. ffirst, They told me they were very Sorry to hear you should

                be troubled about ffrench messingers: They say, its true, they

                were in their Castle, and drew off with them, ffive men and

                ten or twelve Squaws, but they were all Affected to the ffrench,

                their Relacons being in Canada.

                 That if any such thing shall happen for the ffuture, accord

                ing to yor directions, will pursue and treat them as the Enemy.

                 That the Proposicons made to them by the messingrs from

                the Governr of Canada, was.

                Children.

                 By my last March in yor Country I only whipt you a little

                would not kill you.—And I must tell you, if you hold obstinate,

                and not Submit yor Selves to me Speedily, but will depend

                upon Cajenquirago, and take his Advice longer, I will come

                and destroy you; therefore you had best leave yor castles and

                repair to Kagnovego (i. e. a Small ffort near Mount Royall)

                where you may live as well, and have the same priviledges as

                you have, where you are now.

                 Children, I must farther tell you I will Come this winter and

                cutt off Albany, ffight Cajenquirago, and kill him; therefore

            p. 472 let me Advise you, never to have more dependance on him.

                 They Answered Onondio, meaning the Governr of Canada.

                You talk of killing Us, but we are yet alive, and never had yet

                the oportunity of a ffair battle with you.

                 If you can kill Cajenquirago, and destroy Albany, as you

                tell us, we shall then be at some loss what to do; but we

                believe, if you Venture to ffight Cajenquirago, he may have as

                great strength as you, and will keep his ground.

                 Therefore as long as he stands upon his legs we will be firm

                to him and depend Vpon him, but if he fall, or leave us,

                possibly we may come over to you.

                 I certifye that this is taken by me from the Indian Interpreters,

                as it was Rendered in Dutch.

                                                    Dellius.

                 An Answer to the two foregoing Letters is as follows Vizt

                              Port of Annapolis, March 22th 1696/7.

                His Exncys Govr ffletcher.

                Lre to GOT

                of New York        Sr.

                 I have the ffavour of yor Exncys Letters of the 10th &

                 Janry 23d as also of one from Mr Jamison of ffebry the 8th with

                a Copy of Indian Intelligence and a printed Accot of yor Exncys

                Message to the ffive Nations all which I have Communicated

                to his Mats honrble Councill of this Province I am very Sorry