Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1742. 259

Annapolis 28 June 1742
Sir
I am commanded by the Governor and Council to give you
Directions to make the most exact Enquiry into the real
Designs of the Indians, which you cannot but have a good
Opportunity of doing by the cross Examination of Panquash
and the other Indians in your Hands, and if you find there is
a just Cause of Suspicion of their having entered into a Con-
spiracy to do Mischief you are immediately to order Panquash,
and the Other Chiefs over here with a good Guard
At the same time you are to summon the Others in the
Fort or Swamp to deliver up all their Arms, and that unless
they do so you will attack them with all your Force as declared
Enemies and shew them no Mercy, if they are innocent you
may assure them that they shall be treated with all the favour
and Friendship possible, the Government having no Intention
to hunt them, but only to take Care of the Peace and Safety
of the Province
In Case their Guilt should make them fearful of submitting
themselves, and put them upon standing upon their Defence,
it will certainly be for the General Safety to attack them as
speedily as possible, but as this will be carrying things to
Extremity, it will not be proper to go such a Length unless it
shall appear to be absolutely necessary, and therefore the best
manner can be only judged of by Gentlemen upon the Spot,

Lib. C. B,

which is left to your Discretion, only It is recommended to
you to keep a good Eye upon all the Outletts from the Swamp
that None of them make their Escape to the Northward to
acquaint the Northern Indians with their Situation, and in
Case you shall have any certain Intimation of any making
their Escape, that you send People to pursue them with all
possible speed, and direct those you send to acquaint the
Magistrates or other Officers in Newcastle County, in case the
Fugitives can't be taken within the Limits of this Govern-
ment, and if any strange Indians should come among Our own
Indians, such strange Indians ought by all Means to be secured
I am Sir &c. John Ross

At a Council held in the Council Chamber on Saturday the
tenth day of Iuly in the twenty Eighth year of his Lordps
Dominion Annoq Domini 1742.
Present
His Excellency Samuel Ogle Esq^r Governor

p. 148

The honble

Benjamin Tasker Esq^r
Philip Lee Esq^r
George Plater Esq^r
Col James Hollyday

Col Charles Hammond
Col James Harris
Philip Thomas Esq^r