Untitled Document

Whereas his most sacred Majesty upon the representation of the
Affaires of this Colony by his Hon'ble Comm'rs Sr' n'o Berry and Coll
Fran. Morrison and their advice and Councill thereupon, in relation
to the articles made by them with the Indians (without consulting or
adviseing with your Majesty's Councill here, or Assembly some short
time before sitting, and in severall points contrary to the opinion of
your Councill, and as they have reason to believe of the whole Assem-
bly also, and to the disadvantage of your Subjects here, was pleased
to send four rich Coronets with Robes Silver badges, and several other
presents to four Indian Kings and Queens here so called, w'ch accord-
ingly this day his Excellency brought hither with intent to deliver to them
accordingly. The Councill being all present and considering, and
fearing those people may be heightened thereby especially by such
Marks of Dignity as Coronets, which as they humbly conceive ought not
to be prostituted to such mean persons, doe therefore crave leave to
offer their opinions to his Excellency in this weighty Affaire, and do unani-
mously desire his Excellency at least to forbear the delivery of the said Cor-
onetts untill his Majesty's Pleasure by further known which they conceive
will be an acceptable service to his Majesty and tend to the Welfare of
this his Colony. This country haveing in its minority received from
the Indians fatal returnes for considerable presents given unto them,
and it hath alwayes been found a wrong way of manageing of those
people they esteeming presents to be the effects of fear, and not kind-
ness besides which severall other Neighbouring and more considerable
Indian Nations who have deserved of the English at least as well as
the Queen of Pomunkey [Pamunkey] or any of the rest, will be infinitely dis-
satisfied therewith, and if not to the English themselves will shew
their Resentment at least against them which is almost as bad, Wee
being by the Articles of Peace bound to protect them will necessarily
involve us againe in their defence, in a most dangerable and chargeable
Warr.

It being this day moved in Councill that his Excell'cy would be
pleased to Commisionate some able, and discreet persons in whom a
power might reside upon any Attack Our Indian Enemies should make
on our Frontiers forthwith to raise men whereby to repell and pursue
them, the which if not speedily done do too frequently pass undiscovered,
and considering ye remoteness of Our Frontiers from his Ex'cy the
opportunities of takeing our satisfaction from the spoiles and Injuries
done us by our Indian Enemies is lost before his Ex'cy has knowledge
or can give orders therein. Its therefore the opinion of this board and
accordingly thought fitt that discreet and able persons be by his Ex-
cell 'cy impowered thereto with such Limitations and Restrictions as
his Ex'cy by his Instructions shall think fit therein to give them, and the
persons by this Board nominated to be so Commissionated, and im-
powered by his Ex'cy are as followeth

Coll. Joseph Bridge ........................for Nazmond
                                                            Lower Norfolk
                                                            Isle of Wight
                                                            & Surry.

Col. Wm. Bin [Byrd] for .....................Henrico& Charles City
Lt. Coll: Geo: Lyddall for ..................New Kent.
Lt. Coll Wm Lloyd for ........................Rappahanock
Capt Geo: Cooper for ........................Potomeck
Hen: Hartwell Cl Con:

Whereas A Letter was directed to the Right. Hon'ble the Deputy Gov-
ernor sent and delivered by the Secretary of Maryland, from the upper
house of Maryland, Signifying that a certain Nanzatico Indian, by name
Nehemin, had committed a most barbarous murder att Point Look
Out in Maryland and desiring the same Indian to be sent and delivered
into their custody, to answer for y't his most inhumane act, as formerly
they had obliged this Colony by doing the like: Its therefore desired
by this Board, Y't Mr. Secretary Spencer, who is well acquainted with
the carriages of the Nanzattico Indians this last Summer, if he be
not able to clear the said Indian of his own knowledge, doe with his
best dexterity and judgement forthwith gett the said Indian into his
hands and transmitt him safely to Maryland pursuant to the request
of the said upper house of Maryland, but if he can clear the said Indian
from this accusation the way before express'd, y't then he forthwith
give the Governor an account of it and likewise send an Answer to the Lord
Baltemore, in the name of the Councell, with the reasons of our re-
fusing to deliver the Indian aforesaid.

That noe Indians ought to come to Towne, att ye Countries
charges, unlesse sent for or upon some emergent occasion.

Pursuant to Mr. Presidents request this day ye above Gentlemen
of ye Councel mett, in order for a consultation about some Speedy
course for ye prevention of ye Seneca Indians future Incursions, and
perpatrations of Spoils on ye stocks and inhabitants of this Colony,
att w'ch Time all letters directed to ye Hon'rble Mr President, from the
Commanders of Rappa: and other Counties signifying ye late disasters
sustained by ye Indians barbarity as likwise Mr Presidents returns &
orders thereon grounded, maturely and seriously considered, were
approve of by ye said Board, (being as effectual as possibly could,)
who make it their request, that he would continue his care, by forth-
with dispatching a messenger to ye northerne parts for advice, how
those parts stand affected, in what posture of defence our Inhabitants
are in, wt effects are wrought by ye said Indians, what number of them,
& that he give directions for constant rangings, against whose returne
(provided ye Indians continue their rapines, depradations & Spoiles)
ye Councel will convene (ye Generaly Court being att hand) & consult
of some meanes to bee Speedily put in execution, both to prevent the
Enemies future injuries, and force a satisfaction for all damages al-
ready susteined both in our stocks and ye losse of our fellow Subjects.

Whereas ye Barbarous Seneca Indians have lately made Incur-
sions & Inroads amoungst ye Inhabitants of this his Majesties Colony
of Virginia, perpatrated great spoiles on some stocks & Plantations, &
as may be feared, designe in all probability to continue & persist in
such their outrages; if not timely prevented, that wee may be there-
fore in all readinesse, not only to defend our selves, but if occasion
should require, that we may be likewise in a posture to oppose and debar
their further progresse, all and every Collector and Collectors, in this
his Majesties Colony and Dominion of Virginia, are requested and ord-
ered by this Board, to use their best care and endeavours to provide
att their entry of ships one thousand weight of shot, bullet, Carbine,
pistoll, swan and goose, for w'ch charge they shall be allowed againe att
` their making up their account of fort Duties att ye Audit

This board taking into their serious consideration ye great dan-
gers our neighbouring Indians (whom by Articles of Peace wee are
obligdged to defend), are daily exposed to, by ye incursions of ye Seneca
Indians, and endeavouring to find some expedient for ye future to
defend them from their violence, doe conclude it absolutely necessary,
for ye preservation of our Indinas, that ether Rappa: & Nazattico
Indians be united & incorporated (ye Nanzatiticos being willing) or
that ye Rappa: Indians remove to their new fort, and that this may be
effected, It is ordered that both ye said Indian nations be made sensible
of ye care of this board for their defence, and likewise friendly ad-
monished, that an union will produce ye better effects, and that ye Indians may be safe on their way (if they consent thereto) a party of
horse is ordered to be in motion, and to conduct ye Rappa: to such
place for security, as they make choice of, either to their new fort, or
ye Nanzattico Town.

Whereas ye upper and frontier plantations of this Government have
lately been infested by ye approach of ye Seneca Indians, who have
Committed and still doe continue to commit great injuries and rapines,
and their motion being uncertaine, ye whole Government in a manner is
exposed to their mercilesse furty, that wee may be therefor ready on
all occasions, att all times, not only defend ourselves and our
neighboring Indians, but if occasion should required, to oppose ye
Senecas further progresse and to curbe their insolenies; This board,
that they may discharge ye Trust reposed in them, have thought fit,
and doe hereby order, as ye best expedient, to secure ye frontier planta-
tions, that Coll Wm Byrd have alwaies in readinesse ye horse of Hene-
rico County, and that upon ye Enemies approach or advice of any
danger from Coll Byrd, That Coll Edward Hill send such a part of
horse of Charles Citty County to his Assistance, as he shall desire,
:and that upon ye absence or mortality of Coll Wm Byrd or any other
Accident, ye power of Commanding in Chiefe shall reside in ye said
Coll Hill, and in case ye Appamattox Indians shall stand in need of any
amunition or provision, Coll Wm Byrd is requested to supply ye same
according to his discretion, which shall be satisfied againe.

Consideration was this day had of ye articles of Peace concluded
on at Albany, on the thirtieth day of July last between his Excellency
Francis Lord Howard Govern'r on ye behalfe of this Colony, and ye
Maquas [Mohawk] Coqouges Onnondages and ye Seneca Indians; and
forasmuch, as in one of ye Articles It is concluded, that some of our
neighbouring Indians should this summer att ye aforesaid place give a meeting to ye aforesaid Indians, and represent ye Government, ye safety
and honor of ye Country depending on ye parts of those, that shall
act in such a Sphere; This Board, doe therefore propose the Honr'ble
Ralph Wormeley Esq, Coll Richard Lee, Coll Wm Byrd, John Lear
and Coll Christopher Wormeley, out of w'ch number, his Excellency is
most humbly requested to make choice of such two or one, as he shall
think fit, to proceed on a voyage to New Yorke by water, with an In-
terpreter, two Indians from Appamattocks, two Indians from Nan-
zatico, two from Chicahominy, and two from Pomunkey, by the
tenth day of July next, to confirme ye aforesaid Articles; and in re-
garde ye charge is uncertaine, It is impossible by this board to be settled
as he shall appoint to goe, to order ye furnishing out such sloop or
vessel as shall be appointed, with all other necessary contingent
charges, but are of opinion, that it will be for ye Countries Interest,
that Presents be made from this Government, and our Indians, to
such Indians, as they goe to treat with, being a Custome amongst all
nations of Indians, as ye tye and pledge for the performance or [of]Ar-
ticles of Peace.

George Smith Interpreter to ye Pomunkey [Pamunkey] Indians having this day informed his Excellency and Councel, that ye Pomunkey Indian Queen, so called, was lately dead, and that ye Pomunkey Indians did desire,
that ye late Queenes Niece -- upon whom ye right of Government of that
Indian Nation does devolve, might succeed in ye Governm't whereupon
It is ordered, that ye said Geo. Smith doe acquaint ye said late Queens Niece and ye Great men of Pomunkey Town to attend his Excellency,
att James Citty, on ye third day of ye next General Court, in order to
her being confirmed in ye Governm't of those Indians; It is likewise
ordered, that Indian Harries wife, being a Pomunkey Indian, doe at-
tend his Excellency and Councel, Att ye same time, to ye intent she
may be examined, what she knows or Imagins is become of her hus-
band, and ye other Indians loss'd from Col Byrds' and It is likewise ordered, that ye said Geo: Smith doe by all private & subtile meanes endeavour to discover, how and by what meanes those Indians were
losst.

Att a Councell held att James Citty Aprill 29th 1687
Present

His Excellency

Nathaniel Bacon Esq'r
Mr. Secretary Spencer
Coll Wm Cole
Ralph Wormeley Esq'r
Coll: Richard Lee

Coll John Custis
Coll John Page
Coll: John Lear
Coll Christopher Wormeley
Coll: Isaac Allerton

The Hon'ble Coll John Lear haveing acquainted this Board, that the
Nation of Indians Called ye Meherins [Meherrins] hath Deserted their former place of Residence, or Habitation, and hath lately Seated themselves on the
North Side of the Blackwater, Contrary to ye Limitts, and Bounds in
former yeares Sett unto the Indians, and to which the Meherins never made any pretention unto, and being Come upon the Skirts, and Bor-
ders of the English Plantacons they are Injurious to them in their
Stocks, by private Killing, and destroying of then, and not only soe,
but by their Insolent Carriage, terrifye, and affright the Inhabitants,
w'ch this Board takeing into their serious Consideration, and the ill
Effects, w'ch from such ungoverned Neighbours may be, if not timely prevented, have therefore upon due Consideration had of ye same, De-
sired and Ordered the Hon'ble Coll: Wm Cole, and Coll John Lear two of
his Maj'ties Councell, to meet at the House of Coll John Lear, Sometime, towards the latter End of May next, to Caucse to Come before them the Warowance, or Chiefe Man of the Meherins, and some of his Great
Men, as also ye Warrowance of Nanzemond, and some of his Great Men,
and to know the Reason why he Meherins come to Seate soe neer upon
the Skirts of Our Inhabitants, and on Lands the have noe pretensions
unto, and therefore they are not to think soe to Continue, to make a
fixed Being. But if they have for this present yeare there planted Corner, that they may Continue to Tend that Corne, and when Ripe,
to Remove ye Corne together with themselves to ye Southside of the Blackwater, where they may be Suffered to Sett down, and make Seat-
ment for themselves, not Injuring, Molesting, nor Destroying ye Eng
lishmens Stocks; It is also further Ordered, that what Effect this
Treaty appointed hath, with those Meherins, Coll Wm Cole and Coll John Lear are to Report to his Excellency and Councell, att ye next
meeting of the Councel, at Mr. Audit'r Bacon's, on ye Sixteenth day of
June that accordingly Such Measures may be taken as shall be found
fitt.

Whereas the R't Hono'ble Coll Thomas Dongon His Maj'ties Gov't
Gen'll of New-Yorke by his Letter of the 30th of march 1688 unto his
Excellency Francis Lord Howard, which his Excellency was pleased this day to Cause to be read in Councell, Sett forth the Extraordinary Great Charge that his Maj'ties Province of New Yorke had bourne and
undergon for some Considerable time in the Maintaining of a Warr for
the defence of five Nation or Cantons of Inyans, (viz't) the Maquas,
Sineca's, Cajougnes, Oneydes, and Onondagnes Subjects of his Maj'tie
of Great Brittain against the Indyans Assisted and Countinances by the Gov'r of Canady, and Craved and desired the Assistance of this
His Maj'ties Colony and Dominion of Virg'a a supply of mony for the
Carrying on of the said Warr too heavy and Chargeable for that Gov-
ernment any time to hold out or beare, Likewise his Maj'ties Order to
Coll'o Thomas Dongon to defend and preserve those Nations of Indians
against the Incursian and Invasion of the Governor of Canada and the
Canada Indyans, and this board takeing the whole matter under Consideration & observing that his Maj'tie in his Order to Coll Dongon was pleased to Command and direct him that in case he wanted aid and Assistance for the Carrying on of the said Warr to give Notice to the Severall Gov'rs and Proprieto'rs in his Maj'ties Plantacons upon the Con-
tinent of America to the end they might Assist him with Such help as
the Exegency required, in which this Board are of the Opinion that
out of Duty to his Maj'ties Comands & out of Commiseration to their
Fellow Subjects Inhabitants of New Yorke Oppressed by Warr, and
out of Consideration of the Kinde and Great Assistance have reced
from that Governm't in assisting His Excellency Francis Lord Howard
in making a happy peace with those Seneca Indyans, ought to assist
his Maj'ties Government of New Yorke ag't the Attempts of the French
Kings Subject and Indyans, and thereupon resolved, that the present
Assembly should be moved to Contribute what this Country Could doe,
by way of Supply of mony, to aid and Assist his Maj'ties Government
of New York, in the defence of his Maj'ties English and Indyan Sub-
jects there Inhabiting, In which his Maj'ties Assembly of Virginia de-
clareing, that they were uncapable of affording any Supply of Mony,
by reason of their present Necessities, they lye under from the meane
and low vallue of their onely Comodity tobacco is of at present, And
his Maj'ties Gov'r and Councell finding, that noe Supplyes could be Ex-
pected from the Assembly, and well knowing of what great Moment,
and Concerne it is to the future peace, and Wellfaire, of this his Maj'ties
Government of Vir'a, to have the Seneca Indyans, protected and preserved, from the Attempts and Incursions of the French, and Indian In-
habitants of Canada, under whose Subjection should the Seneca's be
reduced, his Maj'ties Subjects of this Colony must Expect to be perpe-
tually disturbed and disquieted and brought under an Insupportable
Charge, if not ruined, Therefore his Maj'ties Councell are Unanimously
of the Opinion, that it is not onely fitt, but absolutely Necessary, that a
Supply be made unto the Government of New Yorke, for the better Car-
rying on the Warr they are Ingaged in, and haveing noe Publiq Fund
of present Mony, nor waies, nor meanes to raise it, but by an Assembly,
who have positively declined any Assistance, Therfore doe humbly
Supplicate his Excellency to Concur with them in Opinion that five
hundred pounds Sterl, be raised out of his Maj'ties Quitrents of this
Country, and by bills of Exchange Ordered unto his Maj'ties gov'r of
New Yorke, as a Supply to defend them, in the Warr, they are In-
gaged in. And doe humbly beseech his Majesties, that he will be Gra-
ciously please soe favourably to accept of this Councell to his Excel-
lency, for the Issueing of a Warrant to Mr. Auditor for the Ordering
five hundred pounds, out of his Maj'ties Quitrents here unto Coll
Dongon as onely Intended an act of Service to His Maj'ties Govern-
ment of New Yorke, and not out of any preseumption of his Maj'ties
most Loyall and Dutifull subjects, and Servants, his Maj'ties gov'r and
Councell of this Colony.

His Majesties governor and Councell of this his Maj'ties Colony,
with all Humility begg leave to represent unto his Maj'tie, that many
yeares since, in some of the Extreame parts of this his Maj'ties Colony, Considerable Quantityes of Land, were appoynted and layd out for
the use and benefitt of the Indyans, as namely the Pomunky Neck
and the Southside of blackwater, where there was then Inhabiting, very
Considerable Nations of Indyans, Consisting of Great Numbers, but
are now wasted and dwinled away, however doe hold and possess all
those Considerable Tracts of Lands, which when they were a Numerous
People, were Allotted for them, and being of large Extent, makes little
an Inroade to the Foreigne Indyans, who have made frequent Attempts
upon those poore, and weake townes of Indyans, and being Sencible
how unable they are to defend themselves, against any Such Attempts,
and finding that Such large Tracts of Land, are of noe benifitt nor use
unto them, Have therefore humbly petitioned his Excellency, that his
Excellency would be pleased to admitt, his Maj'ties subjects of this
Country, who were desirous to remove themselves into those parts, to
Survey and Seale Pomunky Neck, and the Southside of blackwater,
from whose Neighbourhood, the Indyans Exspect to have protection,
and likewise reliefe in their now most indigent way of liveing there-
fore this Board are humbly of the Opinion, that as it will be as great Satis-
faction, to yo'r Maj'ties Subjects, to be admitted to Survey and Seate,
those uninhabited parts of yo'r Maj'ties Country, alwaies reserveing and
Continueing to the Indyans, Such Quantityes of Land as they shall
declare themselves Satisfied with, both in Pomunky Neck, and the
Southside of the black-Water, by which meanes Lands lyeing in those
parts of the country, from which yo'r Maj'tie now receives noe benifitt
of Quit rents, will if Seated and Inhabited make a good Addition to the
Revenue of Quitrents, of this yo'r Maj'ties Colony and Dominion of
Virg'a.

Whereas divers wicked and ill disposed persons of the Counties of
Stafford and Rapp'a laying hold of some falce and Extravigant reports
of the unsetledness of affaires, Contribed and designed to make use
therefore to the advantage of their mischevious purposes. having by a
pretended Examination of an Indyan saying that the Papists had hired
the Indyans to assist them to Cutt of all the Protestants of this His
Majesties Colony and Dominion of Virg'a, as also of Maryland, and
having noised it abroad that tenn thousand Seneca Indyans together
with Nine thousand Nanticoaks, were all Landed & Joyning their
Forces with an Imediat purpose of distroying all the Protestant In-
habitants of Virgá and Mary Land, and haveing by their fallce Al-
larums terrified and affrighted the Inhabitants with their mischevious
Contrivances and Imaginations, even to the forceing diverse familyes
to the deserting of their Houses, and having endeavoured to possess
of this Colony, & most of the Cheife Magestrates of each County were
Papists, (tho certainly knowne to be none Such) and that they con-
spired in the designe of Joyneing with the Indians, to Cutt of the
Protestants, which reports & rumors tooke soe great possession of many
the Inhabitants of this Country, that with the great Care and dili-
gence that could be used the Peace of the Country & welfare therefore
in Rapp'a County, having drawn themselves into parties with force of
Arms to Rob, Plunder and pillage many the good & Loyall Subjects
the Inhabitants of Virginia and Maryland, and to Stirr up and Carry
on a Rebellion in both Colony's, and forasmuch as John Waugh Clerke
is reported to have been very Instrumentall, in possessing the People
with those Imaginary Fears and to Stir up the Inhabitants against the
Peace & quiett of the Government, and Burr Harrison and John West being Suspected to be the first Contrivers & designers of all those falce
and Evill reports, and having dispersed abroad the pretended Examin-
ation of the Indyan, and that befre the Examination was sayd to be
taken, with aggravation of Fearfull Events if not timely prevented, and endeavoured what in them lay to stir up a Rebellion in unsetled
times, all which being duely Considered, as also the ruinous Conse-
quencies that Such evill and Wicked practices & Contrivancies might
have brought upon their poore Country, if by Prudent Care and good
Conduct it had not been timely prevented, It is therefore the Opinion
of this councell, and accordingly Ordered, that Jn'o Waugh Clk Bur
Harrison and Jn'o West be by an Order of this Board taken into Custody
of the Sheriffe of Stafford County, in order to their being Carried on
board his Majesties Ketch the Deptford, whereof Cap't Thomas Berry
is Comander, that with the better Security they may be removed to
Nominy, there to be Examined by the Hono'ble Nicholas Spencer Esq'r
his Majesties Secretary of this Colony, the Hono'ble Coll Rich: Lee and
Coll Isaac Allerton three of his Majesties Councell . . .

This Board having received advice from New Yorke, and Mary-
land, that divers barbarous Murthers, have lately been perpetrated,
by the French, and Indyans near Fort Albany, in the Government of
New Yorke, and it being much feared that the French, and Canada
Indyans, will make some Attempts on the head of Potomach River,
or other Frontiers of this their Majesties Country; Now to the End
the Inhabitants may stand upon their Guards, and be in a readiness to
resist, and repell any Attempts, that may be made, by their Majesties
and Our Enemies. It is by this Board Ord'r'd, that the respective Co-
mand'r in Cheife, within this their Majesties Country, doe forthwith
issue their Ord'rs, to all the Officers under their Comand, to cause their
Soldiers to be in a readiness upon all occasions, and have their Armes
well fixed, and perticulerly that the Comand'rs n Cheife of all the Fron-
tier Counties, doe forthwith to give Notice to all the Inhabitants, to stand
on their Guards, and be very Vigilent, that they be not Surprized, by
Our barbarous Enemyes, and that upon the least Notice, of the Ap-
proach of any Forraigne Indyans, or French, they Imediately Send to
the next adjacent Forraigne Indyans, or French, they Imediately Send to
under his Comand, and to give Notice to the other Offic'rs of that
County, who are alsoe to raise the Souldiers under them, to resist or
repell, any of Our said Enemies, and the said Offic'r of Offic'rs and [are]
to give Speedy notice to the Command'r in Cheife of that County, and
to follow such Ord'rs, and Commands as they shall receive from him, and
in case there be occasion for any Assistance the Comander in Chiefe,
is to raise soe many of the Militia of the Adjacent Counties, as he shall
think fitt, and cause them to march to the assistance, where occasion
shall be, and the said Comander in Cheife of the said Counties forth-
with to give an account of the same, to the Gov'r or Comander in Chiefe
of the Country for the time being, and observe Such Ord'rs and Comands
as he shall receive from him. And the like Order and Methods are to
be taken and observed byt he Comand'rs and Offic'rs, lying at the
Mouths of the Rivers, in case any Enemye shall come by Sea, and that
M'r Presid't accordingly issue forth Warrants, to the Respective Co-
mand'rs in Cheife;

This Board having received Information from New Yorke, that
Divers barbarous Murd'rs and Spoyles, have been Committed by the
French, and Cnada Indyans within that Government, and that the
five nations of Northern Indyans, have or doe intend to Send to Our
Neighbour Indyans, to perswade them away with them, which will be
of Dangerous Consequence, to the Peace of this their Majesties Do-
minion, for prevention whereof, It is Ordered by this Board, that the
Severall Interpret'rs doe forthwith goe to the Severall Nations of Neigh-
bouring Indyans, and acquaint them, that if any Forreigne Indyans
come to them, and require them to goe with them, they informe them,
they are under the Protection of this gov'rnment, and that they
are not to goe, without the L't Gov'rs leave, and it is also Ordered, that
the Indyans be by the Interpret'rs Ordrd, to be very Vigilent, to fine
out the Approach of any Forreigne Indyans and if they shall discover
any, that they forthwith give Notice thereof, to the next Militia Officer,
and that the Intepret'rs also acquaint the Indyans, that if any For-
reigne Indyans shall make any Attempt upon them, and they appre-
hend any Danger, that they may Send in their Women & Children to
the English, who will take care of them, and that the English will
Joyne with them, to Protect them from their Enemies.

The L't Gov'r desireing the Opinion of this Board, whether it would
be for their Maj'ties Service, if he should goe to the heads of the Great
Rivers, to See if what Condition the Inhabitants thereof are, for the
defence of this their Majesties Colony, In which the Councill Consid-
ering, the Several Murd'rs and Spoyles, lately Commited by the
French, and Canada Indyans, upon the Inhabitants of New England,
and New Yorke, as appeares by Letters from thence, and not knowing
but they may Attempt some Mischeife, on the heads of the Rivers of
this Government, are of Opinion, that if his Honor doe the Same, It
will be for their Majesties Service, and the Great Satisfaction, and En-
couragement of the Inhabitants of this their Dominion.

The L't Gov'r acquainting this Board of the Return of Coll Potter
from New Yorke and New Engl'd and with the account he brings, and
of the acc't his Hono'r had received by Severall Lett'rs of the Great
troubles and dangers the inhabitants of New York and New England
had, and wer ein by the many depredations and Murthers Comitted
by Our Barbarous Enemies the French and Indians, and having also re-
ceived Informacon from M'r Nehemiah Blackstone who Calls himselfe
Presid't of the Commitee for their Ma's Province of Maryland, that there
were diverse strange Indians at the head of Potomack, and that there
were some of the Piscattaway Indians killed, and Cap't Peale and Cap't
Mason being Ordered to Range at the head ot Potomack to make dis-
covery of the same, and not fineing that there were any Indians or
tract [track] of Indians to be found they went to Piscataway Indian
Towne, and discourseing with the Emperor of the Indyans, he declared
he knew of noe strange Indyans, nor had any of his Indians [been]
killed, this Board Notwithstanding to prevent any Surprize or Attempts
that may be endeavoured to be made by Our Barbarous Enemies or
the Frontiers of this their ma's Dominion, It is thought fitt & Ordered
that the Comamnd'rs in Cheife of the Forces at the heads of all the Rivers,
doe Order the Inhabitants to Continue their Dilligence in being very
watchfull that they be not Surprized by any of our enemies, and that
they Cause the Former Ord'rs of this Board for the Securing the Fron-
tiers to be Carefully pursued and as they See Occasion to Order the
Inhabitants to Range to make discovery if there be any Tracts of
Indians, and to Ord'r all their Officers to acquaint the Inhabitants and the Interpret'rs to acquaint the Indians, that if they bring any In-
teliigence of Our Indian Enemies and it prove true they shall be well
rewarded for their Intelligence, but if any person shall publish any
flace News fo Allarum the Country and it shall soe appeare they shall
be punished according to Law, & Coll Lee and Coll Allerton or either
of them are desired to Open any publique Letters that shall come from
the Northward, and if they see occasion to Send them to the Lt Gov'r.

This Board having received information that Severall persons have
purchased and taken Leave of the Chickohominy Indians of the Land
appointed them to live on in Pamunky Neck by Ord'r of Assembly in
A'o 1660 Contrary to the true Intent and meaneing of the said Ord'r of
Assembly and have, and building thereon, which unless a timely
Stoppe be put thereto, may in a Short time prove of Dangerous Con-
sequence to the Peace and quiet of the Country, And it being con-
trary to Law that the said Chichominy Indians (or any others)should
Sell Leave or Exchange their Lands, all the said Leases, Sales and Ex-
changes made by the said Indians with any person whatsoever are
hereby declared void, and to deter any person or person who have
built on the s'd Land or any part thereof, It is Ordrd tha tthey forth-
with remove their Stocks & what Else they have on the said Land, and
Cause all the Houses built within three yeares or now a building to be
burnt by the last day of Jan'ry next, which if any person shall faile to
performe, It is Ordrd that the Sherriffe of New Kenty County Caused
[cause} the said Houses to be Imediately burnt after Such failure, and
that the person faileing pay the Charge thereof, And it is Ordrd that
this Order be published at the next Court to be held for New Kent
County, and in the Respective Churches of the said County.

Cap't Mathew Page with others his Neighbours having according
to any ord'r of Councill dated July 26th 1690 Examined what quantity
of Land Goerge Pargitor had bought of the Pamunky Indians in Pa-
munky Neck, and what Houses he had built thereof, and makeing re-
port that the said Pargitor held about twelve hundred acres of Land,
which he purchased of the Pamunky Indyans (as it is said) and that
he had built a forty foot tob'o house on the Same, and kept two hands
there, all which being Contrary to Law it is Ordrd that the said Par-
gitor forthwith Cause the said House to be burnt, and his purchase is
hereby declared void, and it is further Ordered tha tthe Sherrifee of
New Kent County Serve the said Pargitor with this Ord'r, and that the
Court of the said County of New Kent doe make Enquiry what per-
sons are Seated on any Land in their County Contrary to Act of
Assembly or Order of this Board, how long they have been Seated on
the Same, and the Number of Tithables in every of their Familyes,
and return a report of their proceeding to M'r Secretaries Office.

This Board being made acquantined that diverse persons Contrary
to Law have obtained Pattents for Land on the Southside of the Main
black Water Swamp (the bounds between the English and Indians)
by Subtile and Craftsy Contrivances and devices used with some Sur-
vey'rs, and that others have taken Leases of the Indians for Severall
quantities of Land, and are dayly building, Seating the Same, all
which being Contrary to Act of Asembly, and tending to the Endan-
gering the Peace and quiet of this their Ma's Country, and the lives of
those persons who soe unadvisedly Run themselves into Great Danger
by Seating at Great distance one from another, are thereby at the
Mercy of the Indians, a people of noe Faith nor Creditt, who at their
Pleasure may Cutt off a Family, and pretend it to be done by Strange
Murderers who parhapps at the same time may be with them in serch
unsuspected, and Expect to be paid for their Service. Now to the End
that all due Care may be had of the lives of their ma's Subjects, and
the Peace and Quiett of this their Ma's Country and that the Indians
may not have just reason to Complaine of being Cheated of their
Lands Contrary to the Articles of Peace Agreed & Concluded with
them, All the Pattents for Lands, Surveys, or Leases taken of the In-
dians for Lands on the Southside the Main black Water Swamp, are
hereby declared Void to all Intents and purposes whatsoever as if
Such Pattent had never been obtained, Survey made, or Lease taken
And it is Orded that none of the Inhabitants of this Colony, or Others
their Majesties Subjects comeing hither doe presume to goe over the
Main black Water Swamp to live, And to the End that those already
there may not Continue, but endeavour to provide themselves with
places to live in within the bounds ascertained to the English, It is
also Ordrd that they Neither build any house, nor repair nor Finish
those already built or a building, and that they Continue noe longer
there, then they shall be permitted by further Ord'r of this Board, or
the next Gen'll Assembly,

His Hono'r the Lieu't Gov'r acquainting this Board, that he had
received an account by Letters from New England that the French at
Caniday had beate the Forces sent against them from New England
and forced them to return, and the same being Confirmed by a Master
of a New England Vessell now present, It is though fitt and accord-
ingly Ordered that the Councill meete at James Citty the 12th day of
Jan'y next to Consult and advise the best and most securest way to
preserve this their Ma's Colony and Dominion of Virg'a and the Inhabit-
ants therefore from any Attempts that may be made either by the
French (or Indians) which in all likelyhood they will indeavour being
couraged by their success against the New England Men, And his
Hono'r the Lieu't Gov'r is desired to write to all the Gent'n of the Councill
who are not now present, not to faile meeting at the time aforesaid, it
being for their Ma's Especial Service, and the preservation of this their
Ma's Dominion . . .

The Lieu't Gov'r acquainting this Board that by Severall Lett'rs
from Gentlemen in New England, and by the Examinacons of SEverall
Masters of Vessells comeing from thence, and some persons that were
actually in the Expedition made by the New England Men to Caniday,
His Hono'r understood that the Shipps and Force Sent thither were re-
turned having not taken the Place or done any damage there, some of
the Shipps and Vessells wanting and Many of the Men Dead in the
Voyage. This Board takeing the same into their Serious Considera-
tions and that the Forces that were raysed from Connecticutt and
New Yorke to goe against Caniday had likewise returned without
doing anything of Moment on our Enemies the French or Indians and
having taken the Examinacon and depositions of severall persons that
came from New England, some of which were at Caniday, and having
also an account that it was much feared the French and Indians would
make an Attempt upon Fort Albany in their Ma's Province of New
Yorke, and that by the distractions amongst them there, they not be-
ing in a Condition to Assist the Severall Nations of Indians who have
been all along at Peace with them, and Indeeds are one of the Great
Bullwarks betweene their Majesties subjects in New Yorke and in these
parts, and the French, to whom (by reason of the distractions at New
Yorke) this Government cannot Send to Encourage their opposeing
the French and Indian Enemies, and Continueing the Peace with us
made by His Ex'cy Francis Lord Howard of Effingham their Ma's L't
and Gov'r Gen'll of Virg'a, the said Nations may be perswaded or in-
forced to Joyne with the French and Indians, which would prove
of very fatall Consequence to the Peace and Security of this their Ma's
Dominion, and Indeede all these parts of America, And takeing into
consideration that all the Neighbouring Colonies of New England
New Yorke and Maryland ar ein Confusion and have noe Gov'rs ap-
ppointed by their Sacred Ma's nor can this Government procure from
them a Just or true account how affaires stand with them, nor what
Methods they Intend to take to Secure their Ma's Country against the
Enemies, that soe wee might be the better Capable to take Measures
to Secure this Country, And having alsoe been informed that the In-
habitants of Pensilvania have given out that if the French or Indians
come against them they would goe out and Meet them without Armes,
and acquaint them they had not quarrell with them, nor would not
fight which if any Such thing should happen would be of dangerous
Consequence, for that thereby they may be furnished with provisions
and a place of Retreate after Mischief done, It is therefore Ordered
that true Copies of the Examinations and depositions here taken Con-
cerning the State of New England New Yorke, Pensilvania, and the
Caniday Expedition be Sent to the R't Hono'ble the Lords Comittee for
Plantations, the R't Hono'ble their Ma's Principall Secretary of State,
and His Ex'cy the Lord Effingham their Ma's Lieu't & Gov'r Gen'll of this
Country, and doe most humbly beseech their Lordshipps to move his
most Sacred Ma'ty with the same, and wee are in great hopes and Ex-
pectation that his Ma'ty out of his Grace and favour tot he Inhabitants
of those our Neighbouring Countrys that they may have a Settlement
and be under some Security will settle Gov'rs there as in his Princely
Wisdome he shall think fitt, which will be a Great Satisfaction and
Security to their Ma's Subjects here, that soe all the Gov'rnm'ts may
Joyne together to Secure these their Ma's Countryes against their Ma's
and our Enemyes.

M'r William Duckingfield an Inhabitant of North Carolina ac-
quainting this Board that about the beginning of this Month Eight or
ten of the Kings and Great Men of the Tuskaroro Indians Complained
to him that two of their Indians were wanting, and they Imagined the
English had killed them, but a Maherin Indian being present told them
that Dan'll Push of Nansimond County in this Government had Sent
them to Barbados, on which they threatened Revenge, but on his the
said Duckingfields informing them, that would Cause the English to
make Warr against them, and it would be better for them to goe to
the Gov'r of this Place and be would inquire into it and doe them Jus-
tice, they Seemed Satisfied therewith and said they woudl goe to the
Gov'r when the Weather was Warmer, and the said Duckingfield fur-
ther declaring that being at Nansimond he was Credibly Informed that
said Push had Sent four of the Tuskaroro Indians out of this Country,
two in one Prout to Barbados, and two in one Tyler to one of the other
Islands on Consideration whereof Coll John Lear is desired to inquire
into the same, and take the Examinations and depositions of Such per-
sons as are knowing therein, and return them to the Councill at James
Citty the 18'th Feb'r'y next, and that he ord'r the said Push to make his personall appearance at the said Councill.

Thomas Tyler Master of the Brigantine Swallow of Barbados
having been Sumoned to give an account how he came by two Indians
he carried out of this Country, this last yeare, and now produceing a
bill of Lading Signed to Dan'll Pugh of Nansimond County for the said
Indians, and the said Pughs Instructions for the disposall of them, and
the said Push having absconded himselfe that he could not be Sumoned
to appeare at this Board according to the Ord'r of the last Council,
and the Sherriffe of Nansimond County having left a Sumons at the
said Pughs House requireing his appearance, but he not appearing It
is Ord'rd that the Sherriffe of Nansimond County take the said Pugh
into his Custody and there keepe him till he Enter into bond with good
Security for this appearance at James Citty before the R't Hono'ble the
L't Gov'r and Councill the fourth day of the next Gen'll Court, then and
there fo answere what shall be objected against him on their Ma's be-
half.

His Most Sacred Ma'ty having been Graciously please by his In-
structions to direct that there be a Free Trade with the Native Indians,
His Hono'r the Lieu't Gov'r proposed whether the Proclamation relateing
to the Indian Trade lately sett forth by Order of Councill should be
declared Void or Not, On Consideration whereof, It is the Opinion of
this Board that the same and Severall other things in their Ma's In-
structions relateing to the Assembly be refferred to the Consideration
of a full Councill at the next Meeting of the Councill.

On Consideration of the Great want of Powder and Shott in this
Country for the defence thereof, as also that by late Proclamation all
persons are forbidden selling any to the Indians, unless small quanti-
ties to our Neighbouring Indians.

Thomas Blunt is appointed Interpret'r to the Indians on the South-
side of James River, David Whitley to the Indians at the head of Rapp'a
River, and W'm Stone to the Indians on the head of Yorke River and
his Hono'r the Lieu't Gov'r is desired to Grant them Commissions ac-
cordingly.

His Hono'r the Lieu't Gov'r having reced from his Ex'cr Coll
Sloughter their Ma's Gov'r of New Yorke & c, a Letter with an Order
of Coucill of that Place and Copies of Agreements made by them
with the Maquaes, Oneydes, Omondages, Cayouges, Sinickees,
Schackhooke, [Schaghitcocke{ River Indians, and the praying Indians
of the three Tribes or Races of the Maquaes, the Examinations of
SEverall Indians, Copies of Letters from M'r Livingston, M'r Wessells
and M'r Glenn, and also having received Letters from the Hono'ble
Frederick Phillips, Nich'o Bayard, Silv. Courtland [Stephanus Van
Cortlandt] W'm Smith and William Nicholls Esq're and James Graham
Esq're Caused them all to be read,

The Interpreters to the Indians, their Comissions prepared for
the R't Hono'ble the L't Gov'rs signeing, were read and approved off.

Forasmuch as certaine Indians have been taken by the Potomack
Rangers, and Complaints made that severall Injuries have been done
in the Stocks of the Inhabitants of the Frontiers of Stafford County,
It is Ordered, that notwithstanding an Order hath been Sent from this
Board, to call in the Rangers at the heads of the Rivers, thereby to
ease the great Charge of the Countrey, and that all the Rangers (Except
those in Stafford County) are discharged, noe Complaints being made
from any place, that if the Justices and Militia Officers of Stafford
County when they meete, to take the Examinations of the Indians
that were taken, and depositions against them, doe fine it for their
Ma's Service, and Security of this Countrey, to Continue the Rangers
there, that then Cap't Mala: Peale and Cap't George Mason Deputy
Comanders in Chiefe of the aforesaid County, doe issue their
Order to the L't of the Rangers requireing him and the Souldiers under
his Comand, to Continue their Rangeing till further Order, and to be
very Carefull and diligent in performeing their Duties.

On Consideration that it may be of ill Consequence, and indanger
the breakeing the Peace, between the Inhabitants of New Yorke, and
the five Nations of Indians (those Nations as it is reported being very
wavering, the French at Canada haveing indeavoured, to perswade
them to be on their side) if this Government should cause the six
strange Indians taken by the Ranger of Potomack, to be Imediately
proceeded against, it being supposed they belong to the five Nations
at New Yorke, the R't Hono'ble the Lieu't Gov'r is therefore desired
after the Examinations of the said Indians, and depositions Ordered
to be taken against them, are returned his Hono'r, to write to the Gov-
ernm't of New Yorke (by a Messenger to be sent on purpose) and give
them an account that six Indians are taken in this Government, which
are supposed to belogn to the five Nations in Amity with them, but
for that it is reported the said five Nations are very wavering, and
should they breake the Peace made with them, it might be of bad
Consequence (in these times of Danger) to that Government, the said
Indians are kept, that they may inquire of the five Nations, whether
they want any such Indians, and if they doe, know the Reasons why
they come on our Frontiers, Contrary to the Articles of Peace made
with them, and return an account to his Hono'r, what the said Nations
say, that this Government may know how to proceede against the
afores'd six Indians.

The R't Hono'ble the L't Gov'r is desired, to write to those who at
present take care, to preserve the Peace of their Ma's Province of Mary-
land, and acquaint them that by an Indian belonging to one of the
Inhabitants of this Colony, lately escaped from a parcell of Strange
Indians, who about August last carried him away, Wee have an ac-
count, those Strange Indians are harboured, and furnished by the
Indians and Inhabitants of that Province, with Armes, Amunition
& c And for that the said Strange Indians, doe much Injury to the
Inhabitants on the Frontiers of this Colony, they for the future take
care, that the said Indians be neither harboured, nor furnished by their
Inhabitants or Indians.

This Board takeing into their Consideration the good and well
being of this Countrey, and in Order thereto, findeing it Necessary to
know, whether any of the Inhabitants of this Colony, trade with the
Strange Indians, which aftentimes comes on the Frontiers of Stafford
County, and for what, where the said Indians trade most, where they
are furnished with Powder and Shott, and what Correspondence they
hold, with the Piscataway and Pomunky Indians in Maryland, Doe
Order that the Justices and militia Officers of Stafford County, when
they meete, to take the Examinations of the Indians lately taken, doe
full Inquiry make into the aboves'd perticulers, and return an account
thereof to the Secretaries Office, when the aforesaid Indians are Sent;
and Cap't George Mason is Ordered not to send the said Indians, till
after this Inquiry be made, that soe the same may be sent down by
the persons who bring them, to prevent the Charge of Another Messen-
ger.

The R't Hono'ble the Lieu't Gov'r caused to be read the returns made
by the Justices and Militia Officers of Stafford County to the Order
sent them in X'br last, about the Six Strange Indians taken above the
Inhabitants of their County, a Letter from Cap't George Mason one
of the Deputy Comanders in Chief of the said County, the Indians
Examinations and depositions taken against them, and it appeareing
by the returns made, that the Chief of the Indians is a Doeg, and the
others of other Nations in these parts, And that the Nanzattico Indians
a Nation in Amity with us, will make Satisfaction for the Injuries done
by the said Indians (which is alleadged was done by accident and not
on purpose) and undertake for their future fidelity, also that the In-
habitants of the aforesaid County are rather Willing to accedpt the said Satisfaction then have any other Proceedings made against the said
Indians, not knowing but that if they should be proceeded against, it
might occasion a Warr with the Indians, which for want not onely of
Armes and Amunition but also Clothes this Countrey is very unable
to manager, On Consideration whereof it is thought fitt and accordingly
Ordered that if the Nanzattico Indians will make such reparation for
the Injuries done as shall Satisfye the Inhabitants of the aforesaid
County, and undertake for the saide Indians future fidelity, that then
they be discharged by the Justices and Militia Officers of the afore-
said County, who Cap't George Mason is hereby Ordered to cause to
meete about the same, but if the Nanzattico Indians shall refuse to
make Satisfaction and undertake for the said Indians, It is Ordered
that they be sent to James Citty (as was directed in the first mentioned
Odrder) by the last day of March, the badness of the weather and other
reasons being accepted why they were not sent downe according to
the aforesaid Order of X'br last; And it is further Ordered that Cap't
Male: Peale and Cap't Geo: Mason Deputy Command'rs in Chief of the
aforesaid County doe Order the Lieu't of the Rangers with the Souldiers
under his Comand to Continue their Rangeing, and be very diligent
therein till further Order.

It appeareing the six strange Indians taken in Potomack doe not
belong to the five Nations, his Hono'r the Lieur't Gov'r is therefore re-
requested not to send to New York about them as he was desired in X'br
last.

Forasmuch as there is great reason to believe the disturbance in
Stafford County was Occasioned by false reports of Indians, It is Ord-
ered that for the future if any Indian or Indians shall report any News
which may Alarum the Inhabitants of this Colony, the respective Just-
ices of Peace, Sherriffs and Militia Officers within their precints are
to cause them to be taken into Custody and there detained till it ap-
ppeare whether what they have reported be true or not, and if it be true
they shall be well rewarded, but if falce proceeded against and pun-
ished according to Law, And this Method to be taken till the meeting
of the Assembly, and the respective Interpret'rs are Ordered to acquant the Indians herewith.

This Board Most humbly beggs leave to represent to their Sacred
Ma's that the Gentlemen of the Councill liveing disperst in the Severall
Necks of this Colony is of great use for their Ma's Service in the de-
fense of the Countrey from the Indians, quieting disturbances amongst the Inhabitants and otherwise, but being some of them often Sick, or
Lame with the Gout, and it many times hapning that others in the
Winter are hindered Crossing the Rivers by Wind or Ice, and the
Sommer by Wind, their Ma's Service is often retarded, their most
Sacred Ma's are therefore humbly Supplicated to take the same into
their Royall Consideration, and to appoint such a Number of per-
sons in one Neck to be of their Ma's Councill as may make a Quorum,
that upon Emergent Occasions their Ma's Service be not Impeded.

His Hono'r the Lieu't Gov'r caused to be read a resolve of the House
of Burgesses wherein they desired his Hono'r to write to the Gov'r of
Maryland that he would injoyn the Indians in that Government for
the future before their Comeing into this Country to send over some
of their Great Men to Informe the nearest Magistrate with the place
where they designe to Land, with their Intentions of coming over,
their Number and the place they propose to reside at, and also the
time of their Continuance and Stay, after the reading whereof his
Hono'r desired the Opinion of the Councill therein, who are of the Opinion
that what was proposed by the R't Worp'll the house of Burgesses was
reasonable and fitt to be desired of the Gov'r of Maryland.

It being represented to this Board by the Rt' Hono'ble the Lieu't
Gov'r that Indians goeing in great Numbers from place to place at
the heads of the Rivers without passes often times when they are Seene
Occasions a Supposition that they are Enemyes and thereby causes
disturbance, On Consideration whereof, the Rt Hono'ble the Lieu't Gov'r
is desired to write to the Governments of New Yorke and Pensilvania
and request them to Ord'r their Indians when they Intend to come to
Our Neighbouring Indians or goe by Our Frontiers to anyNation to the
Southward of us, that they take passes from some of the Chiefe Officers
of those Governments, that if they be Seene by any of Our Inhabitants,
they may be known to be Indians in Amity with us.

It is Ordered that the respective Indian Interpret'rs forthwith
Order Our Neighbouring Indians that if above three or four of them
designe to travell abroad together, they first come to one of the nearest Justice in this Colony and acquaint him therewith and the time they
resolve to return, that if any English or other of the Neighboring
Indians meete their Tract, the Country may not be allarumed thereby,
as now is usuall.

The R't Hono'ble the Lieu't Gov'r caused to be read a Letter from the
Hono'be Major Richard Inglesby Comand'r in Chief of their Ma's
Province of New Yorke wherein he Setts forthe the miserable Con-
dition of hat Government, and the great danger of looseing Albany
withou a Supply, and also haveing Sent the last Treaties with the
five Nations, wherein the Indians Compaline of the want of Assistance
from the Neighbouring Governments according to the Articles of Peace
made with them, both which have been duely Considered (and finding
that this Government is at very great Charge in maintaineing Forces
at the heads of all Our great Rivers to prevent the Mischiefs frequently
Comitted by Indians on the Frontiers of this Government) And to the
End this Government may give all Needfull Assistance where Oc-
casion for their Ma's Service shall require it, It is Ordered that Mr
Audit'r Byrd pay to the Hono'ble Step: Van Courtland Esq're one of
their Ma's Councill of New Yorke one hundred pounds Sterli, which
said Mony the said Courtland is to keepe in his Custody till the
Comander in Chief and Councill of that place give him an Order under
their hands, that the disposall thereof is of absolute Necessity for their
Ma's Service.

And the Mischiefs which are Committed by Indians in this Govern-
ment being supposed to be done by Indians belonging to the five Nations,
the Government of New Yorke is therefore desired to take care therein,
and indeavour as much as possible they cann he prevention thereof
for unless the same be prevented this government will be at soe great
charge that it will not be possible to give them any further Assistance
if their Danger should be greater then at present they apprehend,
which God of his Mercy prevent.

Majo'r Richard Inglesby Command'r in Chief of their Ma's Province
of New Yorke in a Letter to the R't Hono'be the Lieu't Gov'r setting
forth the miserablle Condition of that Government, and the great dan-
ger they were in of looseing Albany without a Supply, and this Gov-
ernment willing to shew their Readiness to promote or defend their
Ma's Interest Imediately Ordere Mr's Audit'r Byrd to pay to the Hono'ble
Step: Van Courtland one of their Ma's Councill of that Province one
hundred pounds Sterli for the Assistance of that Government against
their Ma's Enemies, but for that this Country hath been and still is at
great charge in maintaining Rangers at the heads of all Our great
Rivers to prevent (as much as possible) thie Country from the Danger
of the Indians, who have severall times been doeing Mischief, the R't
Hono'ble William Blaithwait Esq're is therefore desired if the Govern-
ment of New Yorke use the Mony to procure that Mr Audit'r Byrd be
reallowed the same out of their Ma's Revenue of Quitrents due to this
Colony.

His Honor the Lieu't Gov'r caused to be read a letter from his Ex'cy
Lionell Copley Esq'r Cap't Gen'll and Gov'r in Chief of their Ma's Prov-
ince of Maryland wherein he Informes that he hat Seene the last
treaties of the Gov'rnm't of New Yorke with the five Nations of Indians
and that Intends not to send any money to New Yorke till the Mes-
senger returns from hence, that thereby he may know the Measures
taken here in Supplying the aforesaid Government, On Consideration
whereof his Hono'r the Lieu't Gov'r is desired to write to his Ex'cy Coll
Copley and acquaint him that this Government knowing it to be their
Duties to their Ma's to give all Needfull Assistance to any of the Neigh-
bouring Governments, did some little time since send one hundred &
odd pounds Sterli to the Government of New Yorke, and have now
Ordered one hunded pounds more to be sent them.

William Byrd Esq're acquainting this Board that some time Since
and English Woman belonging to him was killed, and a Negro Woman
and Mollato boy taken away by some Strange Idnians, and he now
understands the Negro Woman was by the said Indians sold to an In-
habitant in Philadelphia in the Governm't of Pensilvania where shee
now is, On Consideration whereof it appeares to be of very dangerous
Consequence toa ll their Ma's Governments in these parts, if Negroes
shall be bought from Indians, and will soe incourage the Indians to
steale from one Gov'rnm't and sell to another, that it will be difficult
keepeing a Servant, and the Inhabitants of these Governments much
damnified in their Estates and discouraged Inhabiting in these parts
of their Ma's Dominions, the R't Hono'ble William Blathwait Esq're is
therefore requested to represent the same to the R't Hono'ble the Lords
Committe for Trade and Plantations and humbly to pray them to give
such Comands therein as they shall See fitt.

The R't Hono'ble the Lieu't Gov'r caused to be read a Letter from
the Justices of the Peace for Newkent County, giveing an account
that an Indian had related a Nation of Strange Indians Intended to
fall upon and destroy the Inhabitants of this Colony, and that they
had Ordered the said Indian and Interpreter to the Indians to appeare
before his Hono'r for his Examination, On Consideration whereof the
R't Hono'ble the Lieu't Gov'r desired to cause to be raised soe many Men
as he shall see fitt, and further proceeded therein as he shall find oc-
casion for their Ma's Service.

On reading a letter from Cap't George Mason one of the Deputy
Comanders in Chiefe of Stafford County to His Excell'y the Governor
dated March the 8th 1692-3 of the Piscat0way [Piscataway] Indians comeing
over Potomack River and the Apprehension or fear occasioned thereby he
had dissired the Emperor of the said Indians that neither his nor any
other Indians should come on our Side the River till further Order
from his Excell'y. It is the Opinion of the Councill that due regard be
had to the 9th Act of Assembley made in the year 1691. Entitled an
Act for a free trade w'th Indians, and that Indians be not restrained
contrary thereto, and Ordered in Councill Accordingly.

Mr James Mings this day Appearing in Councill to give an Account
relating to the Lands, on the South side of James River, and in Po-
munkey Neck [Pamunkey] and not saying anything Materiall, butt that he had
not in his practice Surveyed any in either place, or where Indians con-
cerned, and the same lying now before their Maj'ts It is the Opinion
and Advice of the councill that the said Lands remain as now they
doe, till the Arrivall of the Fleet or further Order, And Ordred Accor-
dingly.

Upon reading a Letter from Cap't Geo: Mason to his Excell'y
Accquainting his Excell'y that the Rangers fouer miles in the Woods
back of the Inhabitants found a Negro Killed Supposed by Indians as
also that he cannot perswade the Inhabitants of Brent Towne to returne
to their habitations again. On Consideracon thereof It is the Opinion
and Advice of the councill, that the rangers in Ranging According to
Orders take perticular Care of Brent Towne not to be deserted nor
hurt by any Indian or Other Enemy's, and that the Magistrat's have
Notice, if possible to find out who murthred the Negro.

Upon reading the Peticon of the Chickohominy Indians to his Ex'r
Setting forth that where they now are Seated on the North Side
of Mattapony in King & Queen County the Land is so poore that ittt
will no longer bring them Corn to Eate, nor yeild them wood for their
Necessity's they therefore pray for a Tract of Land Called Quaynoho-
mock that lye's over against them in Pomunkey Neck, not Improved
and formerly theirs.

Refered to the County Court to Examin the matter & to make report thereof forthwith into the Secretarys office.

His Excell'r was this day pleased to have read Severall Letters
relating to the Indians being Under the Apprehention of danger from
Foreign Indians, Asked the Advice of this Board. Who are of Opinion
that nothing need att present be further done, but that the Rangers
att the heads of the Rivers be dilligent and Carefull in their Duty ac-
cording to former Orders.

His Excellency having laid before the board an Account of Strange Indians lately seen at the head of James River, who had killed a man, and Some Calves and hoggs on the Frontier Plantations, that they were persued by the Rangers, and the Militia, but could not be over taken, Coll'o Byrd & Coll Hill, Comanders in Cheiffe of the Said Rivers acquants his Excellency that it is Necessary to have Some Indians Joyned with the English, being more Expert in the woods and desired they may be Supplied with Ammunition Ordered that Such Indians as will go with the English (as Occasion) be Supplied with Ammunition.

Upon Consideration of Vacant Lands to be taken up in Pamunkey
Neck and the South Side of black water, and orders of Councill re-
straining the Same, tis theOpinion of the councill, that it is for his
Majesties Service, the Said Lands may be taken up, as toehrs, but
that Some time be allowed before the Same be done, & therefore that
all former restrictions doe Continue till the 20th day of Aprill Next,
and then be void, untill which time no Surveys be made, in the Said
places (Except for th College pursuant to his Majesties Royall Grant,
and orders therein) of which intimation to be given to the Rector of
the Said College and to the respective Surveyo'rs concern'd & Ordered
Accordingly.

Ordered that the Indian Interpreters in Pamunkey Neck and on
the South Side of Black water, attend the Councill at James town on
Wednesday the 12th day of February next, with an Account what
Number of Indians there are, and what Lands they hold in those parts,
regard of Some differences between the Surveyo'rs for Surveying in
the Said places. Ordered that Such and all adjacent Surveyo'rs do At-
tend the Councill at James town at the Same time, and that care be
taken for Glebes to be Ascertained, to the parishes not yett provided
in those parts.

Upon Consideration ofthe business of new yorke relateing to the
Quota of men to be Sent for the Assistance of that Province against
the French and Indians, It is the opinion of the Councill that the raise-
ing of the Said men be deferred untill the next Meeting of the councill
by reason of the difficulties and charge in keeping the Same untill they
be sent.

His Excellency Acquainted the Gentlemen of the Councill with a
Letter from Coll'o Beall in Mary Land that his Excellency would un-
derstand by Depositions inclosed in the Said Letter that an Indian
Sent down therewith belonged to him, but that the Governour of
Mary Land being given to Understand that the Said Indian had Co-
mitted Severall Crimes, in this Government and that he had fled for
the Same, thought fitt to remitt him back hither to be proceeded
against as the Nature of his Crymes required, which said Indian haveing
been Committed by a Justice of James City County Goal, and nothing
Appearing Capitall against him in the Said County Court, It is the
Opinion of the Councill that the Said Indian Continue in Custody of
the Sheriff of James City County, until the next Generall Court, to
the end that if any person in this Government do charge him with any
other Crymes he may then answer the Same & Ordered Accordingly.

Upon the Motion of the trustees of the College of William & Mary
in Virginia that the Restraints laid upon the Lands in Pamunkey
Neck and the South Side of blckwater Swamp be Continued for some
longer time (the Land given to the College not yett taken up) Ordered
that the Said restraints be Continued to the 20th day of October Next,
and that the Severall Surveyo'rs have Notice thereof, that no Surveys
be made nor Entrys received for Land on the above said Pamunkey
Neck and the South Side of black water Swamp, till further orders.

Upon the Complaint of Capt George Mason Deputy Command'r
and chiefe Officer of the Militia in Potmeck that Capt John Battaile
Sheriff of Essex County refused to forward an Express Sent to his Ex-
cellency on Occasion of a man killled by Indians upon Potomeck river
and Ralph Whiteing Ferryman refused to Set over the river Edward
Ordered that the Said Capt John Battaile and Ralph Whiteing have
Notice to answer the Same before the Governour and Councill at the
next Meeting of the Councill.

His Excellency upon receipt of a Letter [letter given further on]
yesterday of ye 4'th of June instant from y'e Govern'r of Maryland iwth
proceedings of a Committe of y'e Councill and Burgesses confirm'd there,
relating to the Piscataway and Aecokik Indians was pleased to lay y'e
same before this Board, which being duely consider'd y'e Councill doth
not understand y'e meaning thereof, But if any miscarriage hath been
by any Indians in this Government, are of Opinion that it ought to
have been first signified to y'e Govern'r for orders therein before any
proceedings against any Indians in this Government.

His Excellency being pleased to lay before y'e Councill Letters
from Cap't Mason and Cap't Withers in Stafford County mentioning
y'e Settlement of the Piscataway and Aecokik Indians back in y'e woods
on this side Potowmek River, and their refusing to return to Mary-
land; it is y'e opinion of y'e Councill, and accordingly Ordered, that y'e
said Mason forthwith send to y'e Cheifs of said Indians next at hand,
and acquaint them that their settling there is not advisable or safe
for them, and take especial care that they are nowayes hurt by any of
our inhabitants.

His Excellency laying before y'e Councill a Letter from Cap't Mason concerning y'e Empero'r of Piscatawayes bringing a nation of Seneca
Indians with some of his, who he sayes are now all one people, and de-
sire to be under this Governm't And being informed that y'e said Sene-
cas are already settled within this Government, The councill are of
opinion that nothing further is to be said to them, but that they as
all others in the Government, and other friendly Indians may come
and go in safety, but that the Piscataway Indians do return to their
old habitations in Maryland.

. . .His Excellency laid before the Councill letters from Cap't George
Mason Commander in Cheif of the Militia in Stafford County and
Examinations taken y'e 27'th of July last, by the Coll'rs and Militia
Officers of y'e s'd County, fo some Indians taken for the scalping
and mameing and dangerously wounding the Wife of W'm Wiggington &
three of their Children in the s'd County, . . .

His Ex'ncy laid before the Councill a letter from M'r Audit'r Bird
of an English man being shott in Appomattox by an Indian, and M'r
Auditor being p'sent, s'd he had been upin those parts, and that there
was no more of it, but that the Indian being then single rann away so
soon as he had shott, and Can't be heard of, and that all were quiet
in those parts, on which his Excellency asked If any Orders or Direc-
tions to be given therein, The Councill think not any Necessary.

His Excellency laid before the Councill severall letters and Papers
relating to the Indians, w'ch Occasioned the again reading & Consider-
acon of y'e Proceedings of a Committee in Maryland confirm'd by the
honorable Councill and Burgesses there relateing to Indians now in
this Goverm't & Agents or Gentlemen, to be sent to treat with the S'd
Indians, of whom by their Letters it appears His Excellency had not
nor could possibly have notice of their passing through this Govern't
till they were returned with letters, papers, and proceedings; The Coun-
cill have maturely considered and do not yet apprehend, the Intent or
meaning of the Governm't of Maryland transmitting such Papers, The
Agents or Gentlemen from Maryland, having passed through treated
with & returned from the Indians in this Goverm't without the knowl-
edge, Approbacon, or assistance of his Excell'ncy, which proceedings
the Councill are of Oppinion, amuses [deceived] the Inhabitants, and
tends to the Disturbance of y'e Goverm't, And therefore the Councill
prayes his Excellency to acquaint the Govern'r of Maryland, that before
any treat with or proceedings against any Indians in the Governm't be
permitted, his Excellency be made timely acquainted therewith and
that his Excellency please to give Command to y'e Comander of the
Militia and Ranger in Stafford County, that none from the Governm't
of Maryland be suffered to treat with the Indians in this Goverm't till
his Excellency be acquainted and Allow thereof and Ordered Accord-
ingly.

Upon Consideracon of Indian Land, & Articles of Peace w'th the
neighbouring Tributary Indians, It is y'e Opinion of y'e Councill that
y'e Indian Interpreters do forthw'th give to his Excellency a perticular
Acc't of y'e pr'sent numb'r of y'e s'd Tributary Indians & how they are
settled, and y'e Respective Surveyo'rs to give an Account to his Excel-
lency what land y'e Indians live upon, and y't noe Surveyo'r p'r'sume to
Survey (or English seat themselves) w'th'in three Miles of y'e Indian
Settlem't persuant to y'e Articles of Peace and Ordered accordingly.

Upon Consideracon of y'e four Indians comitted by y'e Justices of
Oyer & Terminer to y'e Sheriff of Stafford County, & y'e Opinion of y'e
house of Burgesses thereon, nothing being Charged ag't the s'd Indians,
since they were acquitted, It is the Opinion & Advice of y'e Councill that
y'e s'd Indians be forthwith Discharged, & Ordered Accordingly.

His Excellency was Pleased to acquaint y'e board y'e the Occasion
of Appointing the Councill, then to meet, was the Receipt of a Letter
from y'e Govern'r of Maryland of y'e 16'th of Octob'r past, and some papers
Relating to Indians, from the Govern'r and Councill of Maryland, and
sent by Thomas Tench Esq're one of his Ma'ties Hono'ble Councill, &
Majo'r W'm Dent, w'ch is followeth; Viz't

S'r I wrote to yo'r Excellency of y'e 24 of June; and Inclosed is a
Coppy thereof, This is by the hono'ble Thomas Tench Esq'r of his
Ma'ties hono'ble Councill & Majo'r W'm Dent, who are to wayt upon Yo'r
Excellency, from his Ma'ties hono'ble Councill,

James Citty Novemb'r y'e 4'th 1697
To his Excellency S'r Edmond Andross K't his Ma'ties L't &
Govern'r Generall of Virginia

It being thought Necessary by his Excellency y'e Govern'r, Coun-
cill & c of his Ma'ties Province of Maryland, for his Ma'ties Service, &
the peace & safety of that province, to command us y'e Subscribers, to
attend your Excellency & lay before you some things relateing to y'e
Indians, and a later Murther committed by Indians unknown & c In
obedience whereunto, Wee attend your Excell'ncy and humbly offer,
that wee are ready to acquaint your Ex'ncy of the Circumstances of the
s'd late Murther & c.

That for as much as the s'd late Murther has been Committed by
Indians unknown to the Government of Maryland, Therefore his Ex-
cellency the Govern'r & Councill of Maryland desires yo'r Excellency
to cause Enquiry to be Made after y'e s'd Murtherers w'th'in your Gov-
erm't as has been lately done in Maryland by his Excellency the Gov-
ern'r for y'e seizing & apprehending of an Indian called Esq'r Tom, that
fled to that Province, from y'e hands of Justice in Virginia.

Yo'r Excell'ncy is also Desired to prohibite the Inhabitants under
Yo'r Governm't from selling to those Indians lately come out of Maryland
any Powder or Ball, and the like will be done in Maryland by his Ex-
cellency the Govern'r & c The s'd Indians haveing Carryed away w'th
them Out of that Goverm't (and Purchased since) a Considerable
quantitye of both by their own saying, That by Informacon the s'd
Indians formerly have not Purchased or used a Thousand weight a
Year.

Your Excellency is likewise Desired to appoint and send some
Gentlemen to meet in Stafford County or Elsewhere, & call y'e s'd Indi-
ans before them, in order to discourse them in y'e p'r'sence of some Per-
sons to be sent out of Maryland, as well to Informe y'e Indians [of], y'e
Resolution of this Governm't, not to protect them, as alsoe for y'e Gent-
lemen of Maryland to make proposalls to them.

Yo'r Excellency is likewise desired to send some P'r'son up to y'e
Fort of the s'd Indians, in this Goverm't to see If they have any strange
Indians among them, & what Numb'r there may be of then, & whither
they have Dispersed themselves, about a hunting according to their
Usual customes, It being Apprehended that the s'd Indians living so
remote, from y'e Inhabitants, may have french Jesuits or Preists &
other French men amongst them.

Yo'r Excellency is likewise Desired, to cause your Rangers ap-
appointed for the frontiers of Potomack to settle somehwere convenient,
toward the head of Potomack, And that Yo'r Excellency will be pleased
to give Instructions to y'e Commander in Cheif of Stafford County, &
the Rangers to hold frequent Correspondence w'tih y'e Hono'ble Coll Jn'o
Addison, and y'e Rangers in Maryland, who have already instruccions
to do y'e like w'ith those in Virginia.

You'r Excell'ncy is likewise Desired to giver Orders to Your Rangers
to agree wtih y'e Maryland Rang'rs what shall be an Alarm, and that
you will be pleased to give them charge, to forbear hollowing, or fireing
Gunns in y'e night unless upon Occasion.

These Matters have been Consulted & resolved on by his Excel-
lency the Govern'r & Councill of Maryland w'th the Advice of y'e Hono'ble
the Justices of y'e Provintial Co'rt y'e Gentlemen of a Grand Committee
for laying the Publick Levy; The Gent of y'e Grand Jury of the Body
of that Province, and severall Gentlemen lately imployed, to go to y'e
s'd Indians, and given us in Charge to yo'r Excellency. In Obedience
s'd Province of Maryland, the same is hereby represented, laid before and
desired of Yo'r Excellency as aforesd, w'ch is signified by Yo'r Ex'encys
most humble servants.

On Reading & Consideration thereof the aboves'd Gentlemen being
sent to & acquainted that his Excellency, & Councill were then sit-
ting, and ready to hear what they had further to offer to his Ex'ency,
Thomas Tench Esq'r being then undisposed desired to be excused till
the Next morning.

His Ex'ncy yesterday was Pleased to lay before y'e board a lett'r
from y'e Governo'r of Maryland, of y'e 16th of Octob'r past and a Copy
inclosed of y'e 24'th of June sent by Thomas Tench Esq'r one of his Ma-
'ties hono'blr Councill, & Majo'r W'm Dent to wayt on his Ex'ency of whom
due Regard being had; and being fully heard, what they had to Offer
from y'e Govern'r & Councill of Maryland. On Mature Consideracon
thereof, and y'e s'd Lett'r of the 24th of June being formerly answered, this
board are of Opinion, that it is not adviseable to make Inquirey after,
or Proclamacon ag't unknown or undisturbed Persons; That the report
in Maryland of the Indians Notions that they shall not be punished
here, For any Misdemeanor committed in Maryland is Groundless;
That the prohibition of selling Ammunition to perticular Indians is
Neither Adviseable, nor available, neither see any Cause to send for
or to ye' s'd Indians. The Rangers are appointed, on the Frontiers of
Potomack River, and y'e Commanders of the Rangers & Militia, long
since ordered to acquaint Coll Addison w'th anything materiall. The
General Allarm of this Country is fireing three Gunns at Convenient
Distance, and any disorders in y'e Night punishable, And it is also y'e
Opinion of y'e Councill, that y'e P'r'sent & a coppy of y'e former Order
be transmitted to y'e Govern'r of Maryland, by the Gent: sent by him-
selfe & Councill & Ordered accordingly.

A Letter from his Excellency Richard Earler of Bellamont Gov-
ernour of New Yorke to his Excellency the Governour of Virginia, re-
lating to a new trader with the Indians to the west-ward was read, and
the Consideracon thereof referred till the meeting of a General As-
sembly.

Collonell Cadwallader Jones having made a proposition for the dis-
covery of a new trader with the Indians the Consideration thereof is
referred to a Generall Assembly.

Ordered, that the Indian Interpreters upon the first day, May
next, do bring the severall nations of Indians whereto they are Inter-
preters, to Pay their tribute to his Excellency at Middle plantation,
and that they come with the said Indians, and cause them to bring
some of the best and most active of the youth of their several nations,
With their bowes and arrowes.

Whereas by His Maj'ts Royall Instruccons for the greater Security
of this His Maj'ts Colony His Excellency is directed to appoint fitt
Officers and Comanders nt he Several parts of the Country bordering
upon the Indians, who upon any Invasion may raise men and armes to
oppose them, untill they Shall receive His Direccons therein; And that
noe new Charge may arise to the Publick by Officers appointed for
Such particular Occasions and noe other, therfore

Ordered, y't y'e Coroners, Indian Interpreters, Escheators & all
other Officers Comicons be p'r'pared in y'e Secretaries Officer & y't y'e
Charge thereof be certified & recomended for allowance to y'e Next
Generall Assembly.

M'r Attorney Generall according to order haveing p'r'ared a proc-
clamacon for apprehending the Indian called Squire Tom, y'e Same was
read in Councill and approved.

Whereas divers of his Maj'ties good and loyall Subjects have been
at great expence & charge in seating & planting severall tracts & par-
cells of land in Pamunky Neck & on y'e South Side of y'e black Water
Swamp, which they have held either by orders of y'e Generall Court,
Leases from y'e Indian's Survey's, Entries thereof with y'e Surveyors or
other defective titles, withou any legall Patents, in Expectacon y't
when the Governm't should grant patents for those land's it woul be
easy for them according to y'e late Practices to obtain rights to take
up & patent y'e same; by which means many People have been in-
duced for valuable consideracons, to purchase lands in those places; &
whereas it is highly necessary for y'e Service of his Maj'ty and y'e Peace and welfare of this his Collony & Dominion that some method be setled
whereby these people may obtain Legall grants for their lands; therefor

Ordered, y't very [every] person paying five shilling Sterl to Mr Au-
ditor for y'e use of his Maj'ty shall have y'e same liberty to take up & patent fifty acres of land's which [he] would otherwise have had for
the Importacon of any of his Maj'ties Subjects into this Dominion, and
y't M'r Auditor doe accordingly grant a Certificate to every such person
for y'e takeing up and Patenting fifty acres of land for every five Shill-
ings which shall be soe paid by him for his Maj'ties use, and every
Surveyor unto whom such Certificate shall be produced, is hereby re-
quired to make entry & survey of such Quantity of land according to
every such Certificat respectively, in like manner as y'e law directs
upon y'e produceing a Certificate of y'e Importacon of any of his Maj'ties
Subjects into this Dominion.

Ordered that ye' Sheriffs of y'e Severall Counties within this Dominion
doe make proclamacon throughout their Respective Baliwick's
that y'e Comisoners appointed to adjuge & settle y'e Claimes to lands
in Pamunckey Neck, pursuant to the Order of y'e last Generall As-
sembly, will sit and proceed therein upon Wednesday the twenty
seventh day of September next at y'e Court house of ing & Queen
County; and y'e Comiconers appointed to adjust & settle y'e Calimes
to land's upon Blackwater will sit & proceed therein upon Wednesday
y'e twentyeth day of September next at y'e Court house of Surrey Coun-
ty; of which all persons who have any claimed to land in either of those
places are to take notice & attend the prosecution thereof accordingly.

Ordered, that the Said Peticon be referred to the Comiconers ap-
ppointed to adjust and Settle the Claimes to Lands in Pamunkey Neck;
and if the Said Peticon doe not interfere with any former Peticons of
Right that they Certify y'e Same for allowance, in like manner as they
doe for other lands in those parts, pursuant to y'e Directions of the last
Generall Assembly.

Ordered, that the letter of his Excellency the Earle of Bellamont
and the other papers relateing to the discovery and Settleing of a New
Trade with the Indians be laid before the Comittee appoint to Re-
vise the Laws and recommended to the Consideracon.

The present Sate of the Country is Extreamely poor -- people not
able to buy common necessarys whereby they are led to believe all
Suggestions how impeacheable soever -- at peace with the Indians but
Obliged to keep Forces in pay to prevent Sudden Mischiefs propose
that the Indian's Trade should be confined and by the directions of
his Majestry put into the hands of one or two persons, Men of Integrity
and Ability for 5 Years, and they to pay for the same towards support-
ing the Government --That no Indians should be Slaves

19th June Issues another proclamation declaring his Design to
take a Journey to new York to make a peace with the Northern Indians
and that the administration of the Government was to be in the Coun-
cil and the first first Named who was Nathaniel Bacon to be president
according to the Kings Instructions.

The Council of Maryland demand Col'o Talbot of the Lord Effing-
ham November 5'th 1685 Lord Howard Orders the Militia to be ready
against the Indians. 1684

Lord Howard Communicates a Letter from his Majestry Signify-
his pleasure that the Indian Tribute be accounted for The Council
answer that the Same hath always hitherto been a Perquisite of the
Governor and was so settled by the Articles of Peace and pray the same
be continued to his Lordship.