The Upper House. 295

Tuesday Morning 26 Oct^r 1742
This house met again according to Adjournment

Present as yesterday
The following Message is sent by George Plater Esq^r
By the Upper House of Assembly 26 Oct^r 1742
Gentlemen
We herewith send you a Message to Both Houses of Assembly
from his Excellency the Governor; and as It relates to an Affair of
the greatest Importance to the Country, We doubt not but you will
give it a speedy and impartial Consideration
Signed p Order John Ross Cl Up H.
Gentlemen of the Upper & Lower houses of Assembly
Although the ill Designs of the Shawan Indians (very probably
excited by the French) as well as the Indians living amongst Us,
were so happily discovered, and prevented being carried into Execu-
tion; yet I am of Opinion that It is absolutely necessary, for the
Preservation of the Lives, and Security of the Property of his
Majestys Subjects within this Province, according to the Example
of the Neighbouring Governments; to enter into a Treaty with the
Six Nations, who, by all the Accounts I have, are not only more
numerous and formidable than all the other neighbouring Indians
together, but also more to be relied on, in Case of a Rupture with
France: To this End a Messenger was sent to invite them hither,

U.H.J.
October 26

in hopes that it would have suited them to come while the Assembly
was sitting, and that Everything needful might have been trans-
acted with them, with the Advice Concurrence and Approbation of
the whole Legislature; but their Answer to the Messenger was, that
the Season of the Year would be so far advanced before they could
return home, that they could not conveniently come till the Spring :
And as you are sensible that their Coming then must be trouble-
some, as well as expensive; and that the Calling of an Assembly on
that Occasion (which can't be avoided) would greatly encrease the
Publick Charge; so I have thought of this Expedient to prevent it,
as well as to lessen the Expence Viz. to send Comm^rs either to
Albany, or such other Place as may be thought more convenient to
treat with the said Indians: If you approve of this Expedient I desire
you'l appoint Two of Your Members of Each house as Commission-
ers for that Purpose Thomas Bladen
Read the second time the Bill Entituled An Act to enable the
Rector Vestrymen and Churchwardens for the time being of
S' Anns Parish in Ann Arundel County to lease certain Lotts in the
City of Annapolis in manner and to the Uses therein mentioned ;
passed and sent by Sam^l Chamberlain Esq^r

p. 45