Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1761-1769. 39

Bladen my family supplyed them with Provisions the time they
stayed at my Plantation which was three Days; They in-
formed me that three hundred men of their nation would be
along this way at the time that Corn would be waist high, who
likewise designed to war against the Cherokees and as they
always have and suppose always will make this their way
Backwards and forwards & Commonly a Stage for some
Days which is no small Inconvenience and Expence to me as
they will have Provision either by fair or foul means which
unless I can get some Retaliation or Satisfaction for (as it
would be very Unreasonable I should Bare intirely such a
burthen and Expence) shall Endeavour to protect my private
property either by force or otherwise, I therefore recommend
the Circumstances I am likely to fall under to your wise Con-
sideration before I am compeld (as I in all Likelyhood may be)
to enter into them that I may not be Culpable should the In-
dians Resentment be drawn on this Province thereby, I hope
you will give me your Candid advice how to proceed in the
above matter if Requisate and whether to let them have Pro-
visions they Demanding it or Protect my Right by force as
nothing is more Certain then that they will Endeavour to take
it by force if Denyed them otherwise. I was just now in-
formed by two Gentlemen from Virginia that the Cherokees
had Lately Robed one Cap^t Cristy a trader from Augusta
County in Virginia to the Value of Fifteen hundred Pounds
in goods and Killed one of his men. This is all we have me-
terial from those parts and not any thing worth mentioning
I am Respectfully your Excellencies Most Obedient
& very Humb^le Servant
Tho^s Cresap.

Lib. J. R.

& U. S.

P. S. Col^o Boquet is now at Bedford who was on his way
to his Plantation in this Province but unluckily as he and Cap^t
Curry were Riding out in a Chair got overset which Broke
Cap^t Curry's Leg and hurt the Col^o very much which has
prevented his Coming further as yet
I am as above
T. C.

Ordered that the Clerk send the following Answer thereto.

Sir
I am ordered by the Governor and Council to acquaint you
that as Soon as the Governor receives an Answer to your
Letter of the nth June last sent him a Copy whereof he has

p. 336