146 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761.

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

but it does not merit the Name of a ffortress, neither can
it ever he made tenable
There are about 140 Indians in Maryland who reside in
the populous parts of the Country on several Tracts of Land
that have been reserved for their Use since the English first
settled here, these domestic Indians are well inclined and live
in good Harmony with the Inhabitants.
The Shawanese, Delaware, and Susquehanna Tribes,
many of whom lived lately in Pensilvania, and the rest on
the Ohio are all that can be called neighbouring Indians,
they have been computed at about 700, or 800, but as the
pensilvanians have been more conversant with these people
Governour Morris will give a more exact Account of them,
'till last Summer they have been always esteemed Friends
to the English but since the Action of the Monongahela they
have attached themselves to the ffrench, and depopulated the
Frontiers of this and the two adjacent provinces.
What is the strength of the ffrench on the Ohio at this
time we cannot learn; it has been said by Deserters thence
last Spring that their Garrisons on that River consisted of
1000 regular Troops, and that they are about to settle some
Colonies under their protection, what the Consequences of
their executing such a Scheme will be, and how these Col-
onies must be affected thereby is too well known to your
Lordships for me to notice it.
The Revenue within this Government arises and is appro-
priated by several Acts of Assembly (viz') ever since 1661
a Port Duty of 14^d p: Ton, on all Ships and Vessels trading
into this province has been due to and received by the Right
honourable the Lord proprietary thereof. From the payment
of this Duty Ships and Vessels wholly belonging to the
Inhabitants, are exempted.

p. 120

Ever since the year 1714. 3.. p: Ton on all Vessels as above
has been collected for the use of the Governor for the time
being.
In 1704 a perpetual Law was made to raise I2^d a Hhd:
upon Tobacco for the Support of Government.
At the same time was made another perpetual Law where-
by twelve pence Current Mony was laid on every 100^lb of
dried Beef, and Bacon, the like sum on every Barrel of Pork,
and Beef undried, exported by any persons not Inhabitants,
these Duties are applied to the maintaining a Free School.
In 1715 was imposed and has been ever since collected for
the Use of the Publick 3^d p: Gallon, on all Rum, Wine,
Brandy, and Spirits, 20/ p.. Poll on Negroes and Irish Serv-
ants being papists, imported; if the Importation be made in