Maryland Whereas his Majesty has been pleased to order a sum of Money to be issued for presents to the Six Nations of Indians and to direct his Governor of New York to hold an Interview with them for delivering those presents, for Burying the Hatchet and for renewing the Covenant Chain with them and whereas in Obedience to his Majesties pleasure signified to them by the Lords of Trade His Majesties Several Colonies on this Continent have resolved to join in such Interview and have made a Provision for sending each their Commissioner with such presents as have been usual on the like Occasions to the said Indian Nations as a means of securing more effectually their Affections to his Majesty and the Brittish Interest. Now in dutyfull Compliance vdth his Majesty's Requisition as well as from a Sense of the Importance it must be of to us and the several Neighbouring provinces that those Nations be retained in our Alliance more especially at this time when our Enimies are endeavouring to withdraw them from our Friendship; we have thought fit to Commission you Col'^ Benjamin Tasker and Major Abraham' Barnes fully trusting in your known Abilities and approved Honour to represent this Province at the Interview appointed to be held at Albany the 14**' of June next and then and there to renew the Covenant Chain and enter into a League

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of Amity with the said Indian Nations and you shall deliver \n them (with such Speeches as have been used on Similar Occasions) a present as from his Majesties dutyfull Subjects of this province of Maryland in Money or Goods as to you shall appear most proper to the value of Five Hundred Pounds Currant Money of this Province, which Money you will receive from the Treasurer of the Western Shore and for the better conducting yourselves in Hegard to the manner and form of the Treaty to be entered into at Albany with the said Six Allied Nations.