not any ways molested or interrupted in the legal prosecution of their trade for Naval Stores for their Maj'ties' service, and for the building of ships in these parts; but that wee give them all due countenance and assistance in their said undertaking; in obedience thereto, we forthwith passed an order in Council accordingly, not knowing of any obstruction given to any agent sent over in ye business, so as to give occasion of complaint; but instead thereof, those carpenters, smiths, &c. brought hither for that service, have been (in this time of war) freed from watching and warding and impresses, which all other ye inhabitants of this Province are necessitated for their own defence and preservation, to attend. Indorsed-"Letter to England

The Left. Govern' declared that the reason of his calling of this Council, at this time, was to lay before them the action of Capt. Long, & as on file.

The Lieut. Govern' read a warrtt to require Geo. Long to show by what commission he wore the King's Union Flag on board his ship: As see on file.

The Lieut. Govern' read another warrtt to apprehend said Long for contempt: As on file.

Several evidences concerning Capt. Geo. Long was read in Councill, and the persons sworn before this Board: as per the evidences filed. Said the contempt of the Governor's warrtt was a high contempt, and ought not to be suffered.

Ordered, by this Board, That any persons who have committed any contempt, violence against the King's Government in this Province, shall be prosecuted according to law; whensoever they may or should be taken or ceased(1), viz. Geo. Long and those that have been abettors with him in the late rebellious action, this

inst July.

The Lieut. Govern' demanded of the Judges and Justices (of

(1) Seized?

this Board) that they should see the Law prosecuted cont: Geo. Long and his abettors accordingly.

Pennie excepted against that sentence in his evidence, viz. He valewed him not one blast of his breech.

The Lieut. Govern' proposed to the Board, for sending a post to Sir Wm. Phips to give him an acctt of the present news, and to desire 100 men for assistance. N. W. ans. he did not know whether it was necessary to send for men, it being a public war. Ordered, That an express be sent to Sir Wm. Phips, accordingly.

Whereas there was a warrt from the Leut. Govern' to Maj. Wm. Vaughan to ride to visitt the garrisons: Maj. Vaughan's return was red & filed.

Capt. Thomas Packer having an order to march with men to the relief of Oyster River, made his return wch was read and is on file.

The Lieut. Govern' proposed to issue out a warrtt for the persons to go to Garrison and to take care of the stock of ammunition. Answered, the law was sufficient enough.

In answer to the petitions from Tho. Edgerly of Oyster River, and sundry persons of Lubberland as on file:

Ordered, That there be twentie men appointed to relieve and secure the garrisons petitioned for, of Oyster River.

The Lieut. Govern' proposed to the Board to make a Brief(1) tor supply of the poor people of Oyster River.

The Board answered, It was very convenient and necessary.

Dismist, at 3 o'clock.

(1) Brief- A letter-patent from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose."- Web. Dic.

At a Council called, ditto diem, at 4 o'clock.

Present- THE SAME.

The Lieut. Governor read a letter from Sir Wm. Phips in answer to his letter sent by Post concerning the attack on Oyster River, bearing date July 19th, 1694, in which was expressed; -"I cannot order the detaching or impressing men to serve in your Province."

Nath'. Wear

Wm. Vaughan Esqs.
Rich Waldron

The Lt. Govern made a speech — as on file. 2 letters to Sir Wm. Phips; one of 18th inst. and one of the 20th inst. The Lieut. Govern read a letter from Sir Wm. Phips, dated, July 19th

A petition from Capt. Woodman concerning the destruction of Oyster River, was read in Councill. (1)

(1) The following is Dr. Belknap's account of this terrible destruction: 'Oyster River is a stream which runs into the western branch of the Piscataqua; the settlements were on both sides of it, and the houses chiefly near the water. There were twelve garrisoned houses, sufficient for the defence of the inhabitants; but, apprehending no danger, some families remained at their own unfortified houses, and those who were in the garrisons were but indifferently provided for defence, some being even destitute of powder. The enemy approached the place undiscovered, and halted near the falls on Tuesday evening, the 17th of July. Here they formed into two divisions, one of which was to go on each side of the river and plant themselves in ambush, in small parties, near every house, so as to be ready for the attack at the rising of the sun; the first gun to be the signal. John Dean, whose house stood by the saw-mill at the falls, intending to go from home very early, arose before the dawn of day, and was shot as he came out of the door. Their firing, in part, disconcerted their plan; several parties, who had some distance to go, had not then arrived at their stations; the people in general were immediately alarmed, some of them had time to make their escape, and others to prepare for their defence. The signal being given, the attack began in all parts where the enemy was ready.

"Of the twelve garrisoned houses, five were destroyed; viz., Adams's, Drew's, Edgerly's, Medar's, and Beard's. They entered Adams's without resistance, where they killed fourteen persons: one of them, being a woman with child, they ripped open. The grave is still to be seen where they were all buried. Drew surrendered his garrison, on the promise of security, but was murdered when he fell into their hands; one of his children, a boy nine years old, was made to run through a lane of Indians as a

The Lieut. Governor's warrant to Capt. Woodman for posting twentie soldiers, and to take the command of them at the garrisons at Oyster River.

The Lieut. Govern letters to Sir Wm. Phips, bearing date the 21st and 23d inst. was read in Councill.

Wm. Stoughton, Esq. his letter to the Lieut. Govern', dated Boston, July 224 read in Council, that he had ordered forthwith, 100 men for our relief.

mark for them to throw their hatchets at, till they had despatched him. Edgerly's was evacuated; the people took to their boat, and one of them was mortally wounded before they got out of reach of the enemy's shot. Beard's and Medar's were also evacuated, and the people escaped.

"The defenders' houses were nearly all set on fire, the inhabitants being either killed or taken in them, or else, in endeavoring to fly to the garrisons, some escaped by hiding in the bushes, and other secret places. Thomas Edgerly, by concealing himself in his cellar, preserved his house, though twice set on fire. The house of John Buss, the minister. was destroyed with a valuable library. He was absent; his wife and family fled to the woods and escaped. The wife of John Dean, at whom the first gun was fire, was taken, with her daughter, and carried about two miles up the river, where they were left under the care of an old Indian, while the others returned to their bloody work. The Indian complained of a pain in his head, and asked the woman what would be a proper remedy; she answered, occapee, which is the Indian word for rum, of which she knew he had taken a bottle from her house. The remedy being agreeable, he took a large dose and fell asleep; and she took that opportunity to escape, with her child, into the woods, and kept concealed till they were gone.

"The other seven garrisons, viz., Burnham's, Bickford's, Smith's, Bunker's, Davis's, Jones's, and Woodinan's, were resolutely and successfully defended. At Burnham's, the gate was left open; the Indians, ten in number, who were appointed to surprise it, were asleep under the bank of the river at the time that the alarm was given. A man within, who had been kept awake by the tooth-ache, hearing the first gun, roused the people and secured the gate. just as the Indians, who were awakened by the same noise, were entering. Finding themselves disappointed, they ran to Pitman's defenceless house and forced the door at the moment that he had burst a way through that end of the house which was next to the garrison, to which he with his family, taking advantage of the shade of some trees, it being moonlight, happily escaped. Still defeated, they attacked the house of John Davis, which after some resistance he surrendered on terms; but the terms were violated, and the whole family either killed or made captives. Thomas Bickford preserved his house in a singular manner. It was situated near the river, and surrounded with a palisade. Being alarmed before the enemy had reached the house, he sent off his family in a boat, and then shutting his gate, betook himself alone to the defence of his fortress. Despising alike the promises and threats by which the Indians would have persuaded him to surrender, he kept up a constant fire at them, changing his dress as often as he could, showing himself with a different cap, hat, or coat, and sometimes without either, and giving directions aloud, as if he had a number of men with him. Finding their attempt vain, the enemy withdrew, and left him sole master of the house which he had defended with such admirable address. Smith's, Burnham's, and Davis's garrisons, being seasonably apprised of the danger, were resolutely defended; one Indian was supposed to be killed, and an other wounded by a shot from Davis. The Indians finally withdrew, having killed and captivated between ninety and an hundred persons, and burned about twenty houses, of which five were garrisons." Farm. Belk. pp. 138-141. [See further details of this "destruction," and other attacks on Oyster River, in subsequent papers. Als Hist. Mem. Dover Enquirer, Nos. 123, 130, A. H. Q.]

Lt. Col. Pierce his letter from Newberre, was red in Councill concerning raising of men; intimating that no men did voluntary apear to come for relief.

Duncan Cambell's letter from Boston was read-as on file — intimating the Mohauks had made peace with the French and were false?

The Lt. Govern' acquainted the Board, that it is expected, if the soldiers come, we must raise provision for them; and that if they should come, if it were not necessary, to raise some men here, to march wth them to discover the enemie by ranging of the woods; and desired the Board to consider of these affairs

Ordered, That if Bread can be got for the soldiers, coming from Boston, then it is to be provided, other wise they are only to be posted at the garrisons, for security of the garrisons.

Ordered, That if the soldiers come from Boston between this & Friday morning, that 100 men shall be raysed to march and range the woods with them, under the command of Capt. Thwing.

The Lieut. Govern' proposed to secure the cannoes along shoare, that the Indians may not transport themselves over the river. Not consented to.

Ordered, That warrants be issued out for detaching 100 men, viz. out of Hampton, 50; out of Exeter, 20; out of Portsmo, 30; Ordered, That they randezvous at Exeter with four days provision, to range the woods and hed[?](1) the towns and rivers from thence to Newichawannock river.

The Lieut. Govern' proposed if the men did not come from Boston, whether they should march with 16 men to range the woods.

Judged it not safe.

The Lieut. Govern' acquainted the Board of sundry persons that was imprest for their Maj'ties' service, that had deserted the Province, and desired their advice what was to be done therein. Answerd: That if any persons after they are imprest desert the service, and fly into the other Provinces, advice thereof should be sent to the other government, so that they may be apprehended, and sent back again.

Adjourned until 8 of the clock, July 25.

(1) Head—sometimes means the source or farthest part of a thing. Perhaps it means here the extreme bounds of towns, and sources of rivers.—ED.