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

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

province, travelled through Pensilvania unsuspected, and
arrived at Venango in about 24: Days from his Departure
thence, that he has since that time been a good deal with the
French at Venango and ffort du Quesne, and that he has
lived much among the Indians that are in their Alliance,
he says that in the Beginning of October he came from ffort
du Quesne with 160 ffrench and Indians, who were designed
against Fort Cumberland, and that he being sent before as a
spy was reconnoitring that place when he was discovered,
and thereupon surrendred himself to one of the Garrison.
His Excellency then observing to the Board, that the
Prisoner had, when he gave the above Information, either
denied, or concealed many particulars that he was said to

p. 139

have deposed before Colonel Cresap, said he thought 'twould
be proper to order him in for farther Examination, and
desired that he might be asked the following Questions in
particular, and that his several Answers thereto may be
taken in Writing as he should deliver them, the prisoner was
accordingly called and examined as follows.
Q: I^st How often did you go to priest Neal's or any other
Mass House while you lived in Baltimore County ?
Pris. T went three times to the Mass House where M^r
Neale officiated, while I was in Baltimore County, but I
never went to any other Mass House or Chappie, in this
province, neither did I ever hear any one say Mass in this
province beside that Priest Neale,
q: 2: Did you at any time when you went to Mass hear
Priest Neale recommend it to the Congregation to provide
themselves, with Arms and Ammunition, and to keep them-
selves in readiness to join any party of ffrench and Indians
that might come down to invade, or make an Attack upon his
Majesty's Subjects?
Pris: I never did hear priest Neale at any time when I
went to Mass recommend to the Congregation any such
Thing,
q: 3^d Did you hear any of the Congregation speak after
that Manner?

Pris: As I was returning home from Chappie the second
time with M^cDonald he told me that he had heard Ignatius
Wheeler and Thomas Skey say it would be necessary to
provide Arms to assist the French if they should come down,
but I never did hear either Wheeler or Skey say a Syllable
to that purpose, neither did M^cDonald at that time mention
the priest's Name or say that he had spoke after that Manner.
q: 4: Did you ever hear Priest Neal tell the Congregation
or any of them that it would be much better for them to