586   Appendix to Council Proceedings, 1696—1729.

            B. M. three passages, one from the head of Bohemia River to Apo

            Vol. 25. quirnini which is but 8 miles from whence by sledds from

                 boates they bring all manner of merchandice and run our

                 tobacco from hence. There is one other passage from the

                 head of Elk river to Newcastle of 16 miles beside other roads

                 from the lower parts of our country towards theirs.

                  Memorandum: That an address was made to the Lords

                 Comma last year about the divisionall line to be setled. The

                 Inhabitants of the two Provinces now seating themselves

                 every year nearer the one to the other so that there is a neces

                 sity to have this done.

                  His Excy desires that if Mr Pen or any other person have any

                 thing to obiect to him that they may put the same in writing,

                 sign it and give security to prosecute the accusation that he

                 may have his legal remedy against them if they fail to make it

                 good. And that in such case he may have leave to come over

                 sea and vindicate himself. And all his Excys friends are

                 desired not to concern themselves about any such reports but

                 only assist him in obtaining such leave for him, which if it be

                 not to be done without quitting the Government he had rather

                 quit that then the Vindication of his Repute and Innocence.

                  Memorand: That Mr Pepys now a passinger from Pensil

                 vania be called to give an account of their illegall manage

                 ment before he be taken off by Mr Pen as was Mr Jones

                  Memorand: That upon representing his Matys intrest in

                 these Colonys by securing the River Ohio spirito santo or

                 Mesachippi it now appears by Father Hannapins account and

                 the monthly mercury of Jan. last that there was reason [for]

                 it tho' a certain person ridicul'd it because was not concern'd

                 in representing it. It now appears that there is a necessity

                 to consider how to prevent the French king's design which

                 apparently tends to compass us in round and to lay an Am

                 bush behind all the Kings Colonys on the Continent of Am

                 erica. It seems that the French Kings design can only be

                 obviated either by open force or by sending directions to all

                 his Matys Governours in these plantations to carry on a Trade

                 with the Indians westward on this Continent to the same

                 places and Indians on the Lakes; not that the King be put to

                 charge but that he be pleased to give encouragement to such

                 as shall open a free trade with them, but still under instruc

                 tions only from his Maty to such company or companys of

                 undertakers as shall be form'd in his Governments, and to

                 make the trade free and easy by his charters.