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

Lib. J. R

& U. S.
p. 40

entertaining opinions that they now have in their Possessions
large Quantitys of Arms &c We but the other day heard of

it, and not till after it had been the publick talk (no particular
application having been made to us) since which we have as
privately enquired as may be into the foundation of the most
material of many Reports that are now publickly talk'd off,
and the most we learn is That some time in April or begin-
ning of May last two Vessels at different times went up a
Small Branch of Boh^a River (very little frequented by Ves-
sels) which leads to the Seat of the Jesuits in this County
from whence they Shortly returned, and that enquiry being
made of them by Several People about the Ferry no Satisfac-
tory answer was obtained nor do they know of any kind of
Business they had. That about the same time a very intelli-
gent Negro Boy coming from the Priests Mill early one
Evening met in the Road where any Goods would be Carted
probably from Vessels coming up that Branch to the Priests,
his Mullatto Fellow driving a Team Loaded with Hay, that
as he passed the Team he observed the Muzzles of a Parcell
of very bright fire Arms at the Bottom of the Waggon under
the Hay, and that he might not be mistaken turn'd his Horse
short round and is sure they were Guns. That a French
Doctor who lives in Pensilvania but not more than 6 miles
from the Jesuits has been missing more than once or twice
and that for a long time together when no one could give any
Account where he was gone or what after, but it is strongly
suspected back to the French, That another Frenchman has
been Seen in the neighborhood who was supposed to be
entertained by the Priests and who has lately been seen
at this French Doctors. That another very impertinent
fellow who has its said traveled much back has been at
the Priests, and is Since we hear taken up in Baltimore
on some such Suspicion. We have further to Say, that
we are assured the late M^r Ja^s Heath of this County had a
great Quantity of Fire Arms, Cutlasses, Cartouch Boxes
Horns &c by him at a time and that its being pretty loudly
talked off, he sent them over to the other Bay and its sup-
posed to Philadelphia.
We should not have taken the freedom to trouble your
Excellency but that the minds of the People seem uneasy and
that by the slightness of the Evidence & the length of Time
it has been so much talked off, we knew not what best to do
at first we thought of a Search, which we have since heard
the Priests expected but on considering the whole Matter
determined to lay it before your Excellency well knowing
your good Nature would overlook this should you consider it
as a trifeling matter, and that if you do not you'l furnish us