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

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

The above and foregoing are true Copies of Originals in
the Secretarys Office of Pensylvania
Richard Peters Secry.

p. 280

Sir
Your Excellencys Letter of the 19^th of February last came
to my hands on the last day of the Last month and having
previous thereto on the 16^th received a Letter from M^r Wil-
liam Hayward (herewith inclosed) relating to the murder
Committed on the Body of William Outten Sub Sheriff to
Benjamin Handy Sheriff of the County of Worcester, and
also mentioning something of the proceedings of the Mag-
istrates of Sussex County in consequence thereof on the 19^th
I sent Express a Letter to M^r Joseph Collins one of the Mag-
istrates in the upper part of Worcester County (a Copy
Whereof is herewith also inclosed) in pursuance to the pro-
ceedings Directed by that Letter, and in obedience to your
Excellency I went up to Worcester County Court the 7^th
Instant and contined there till the 9^th Inclusive taking of
Depositions of many people in regard to that unhappy Affair:
I have endeavoured from record and Depositions, to illus-
trate the Different points required, so far as in my power
considering the Remoteness of the places from whence the
Evidence was to be called. As to the proceedings by some
of the Magistrates in Sussex County in regard to the Exam-
inations and Depositions by them Taken touching this Fact,
you will perceive Sir by M^r Haywards Letter they have been
pretty Extraordinary and these I suppose were transmitted
to the Governor of Pensylvania
Their Court of Quarter Sessions happen'd to be setting at
the Time this Fact was Committed and when Willey fled to
Lewis Town and there the persons named in the inclosed List
who were of Outtens Company (and one Andrew Collins Son
of Andrew Collins who was not present) are all indicted as
rioters by the Grand Jury, Where Willy the murderer was
Admitted a Witness if not the principal one as I am informed
to Support the Charge
As to Obtaining the minutes and proceedings upon their
records relative to this Business, I have reason to believe it
of Little purpose to Attempt.
I can but observe Sir that the source of these Evils have in
a great measure taken their Rise since the Running the West
Line; from the Surveyor of Sussex County Incroaching
and making clandestine surveys within the ancient reputed
Bounds of Maryland in these parts; and I have been told that
even unjustifiable practices have been Lately used to Spirit
up the people living to the Northward of that Line to refuse