THAT the sixth of November last, in the yeare of our Lord, 1654. he set saile from the Downs, then outward bound, for the Bay of Virginia, for the Ports of Patuxent, and Severne, and through the blessing of God arrived at Patux­ent the 29 of January following.

That within two dayes after his arrivall at that Port, there came a Boat with about five persons therein, to the Ship side, and by information of one of his Ships company, who formerly had been at Maryland, declared that Capt. Stone, formerly Go­vernour Stone, was there. He thereupon called assistants of his Ships company to Man the Ship side to accommodate the co­ming up of Mr. Stone into the Ship; where after some civill re­spects shewed him, he called for a Glasse of Wine, and drank to him by the name of Governour Stone: At which he replyed, he had formerly been a Governour, but was not so now; That the Governour there at present was one Capt: Fuller, a Gentleman lately settled by the Commissioners of the Parliament of Eng­land; and that Mr. Fuller was then at Severne. He was likewise so informed by the Inhabitants of Patuxent, but understood no­thing of any difference, or Hostile preparations in the least.

After some dispatches of affaires in relation to the procee­ding of his Voyage, and the hard weather was broken, did on the sixteenth day of February, early in the morning set saile for Severne, where he arrived late that night, and settling the Ships businesse, went the next morning ashore to attend the Governour, whom he found there; and having given the Go­vernour satisfaction as to his intended proceeding, came aboard his Ship againe.

On the fifteenth of March following, in Order to his Voy­age, left directions with Mr. Cole his Mate concerning the Ship, and Man'd forth one of his Sloopes, and himselfe went for Roads River, some seven Leagues distant from thence, to procure Goods; but before he could dispatch his businesse there, recei­ved a particular Message from Capt. Fuller the Governour, then also at Severne, requiring him presently to attend him, and that his men might presently repaire to his Ship, then at an Anchor at Severne. He not knowing what speed such a Message might re­quire, left his businesse, and endeavoured so soon as might be, to wait upon the Governour: But as he drew neere, he perceived a piece of Ordnance fired from his Ship, which much amazed him and his Boats crew, whereupon hastning to the Ship, at his co­ming on board, he there found the Governour, Capt. Fuller, with Mr. Cole, whom he had intrusted the care of his ship unto, and demanding the reason of the firing of that Gun, he told him it was by the Governours Order.

The Governour forthwith related to him, That he had re­ceived certain Intelligence, that Capt. Stone with a party of Ro­mish Catholicks, Malignant, and disaffected persons, who had called to their assistance a great number of Heathen, were in Arms, and what other they could not by favour perswade, they forced along with them, plundring all that refused to assist them. That they had privately designed the destruction of the Gover­nour, and all the Protestants at Severne, and to destroy men, women, and Children, that should not submit to their wicked designe. And this, the better to carry on their interest, was un­der pretence of bringing in subjection those factious people in the County of Anne Arundell, to the obedience of the Lord Pro­prietary, not owning the Lord Protector of England, &c. his power in the least.

The Governour further also informed him, that the designe was against him, his ship, and company (if they would not assist Captain Stone) to fire his Ship riding at anchor, and to be ef­fected by one Abraham Hely a seaman who ran away from his Ship at Patuxent; and this designe so setled, that Captaine Stone and his souldiery were ready to march.

The sudden newes of such horrid treachery to be acted by such instruments, put the poore Inhabitants into so lamentable a [Page 3]condition, in respect they were so surprized, that they had no deliverance to expect, but onely extraordinary Providence from God, having formerly by sad experience known the malice of their Adversaries, against all that owned the wayes of God in truth.

The Governor desired that many of the poor trembling Wo­men and Children might come on board the ship, which was granted; In the mean time his Councel and the Inhabitants con­sulted their own safety, and agreed to have a Letter drawn up to be directed to Capt. Stone, and sent to him by Messengers of their own by the ships Wherry.

A first Message having been sent to demand his power, and the ground of such his proceedings.

The second Message to him being such low terms, that those that sent it were grieved at their hearts that ever it went out of their hands, which was as followeth,

But no answer to this was returned, but the same paper in scorn sent back again.

The Messengers being dispatched from the Governor and Councel, had the ship Golden Lyons Wherry for their more spee­dy passage; And they accordingly came to Capt. Stone, whom with the whole body they met at the Clifts, some marching by Land, and others is Sloops or Boats coming by Water, in pur­suance of the bloody design.

And upon the Messengers coming to him to present the Letter, he immediately in a rage commanded the Messengers to be taken into Guard, and took away the Wherry; yet two of the Messen­gers escaped and came to Severn, and acquainted the Governor, and the Councel, of the Enemies proceedings, and what further intelligence they could meet with. And withall, that Captain Stone had so ordered, that if the Commander of the ship the Golden Lyon would not assist him and his Company, the ship should be fired as it lay at an Anchor by a Servant of the Com­manders that run from him at Patuxent.

The Governor and his Councel in Order to their security sent several Warrants, requiring observance of their Com­mands, one whereof directed to the Relator hereof, as follow­eth.

The Governor sent a second Warrant dated 23. of March, following.

This day in the evening, the Ships Watch descried a Boat rowing near to the ship, which they commanded in, and when the men were come on Board, they presented a Letter from Cap. Stone, directed to the Relator hereof, who so soon as he received it, went forthwith ashore, and shewed it to the Governor and Councel, the effect is as followeth:

That he had heard the Relator would with his Ship and Com­pany aid and assist the people of Severn against the Lord Balte­mores Government, which by perswasions, he desired a desi­stance from, and that for his satisfaction he had sent a Petition presented to His Highness the Lord Protector, and withall His Highness Order thereupon, declaring against the Government of Richard Bennet Esquire in Virginia, yet in truth, sends no such thing inclosed in the Letter, but appointed the bearer to say so.

Whereupon Capt. Fuller, and the Councel being well satis­fied as to the matter of the Letter, that it was of no greater weight, desired the Letter might be answered by the Relator, as he thought fit, and send away the Messenger, who presently writ a Letter to Cap. Stone, as followeth:

From Aboard the Golden Lion, March 23. 1654.

The same Messenger then also received a Letter from Mr. Richard Owen, directed to Cap. Stone; Mr. Owen was a Mer­chant then aboard the ship, and by his Letter certified him as fol­loweth verbatim.

The Relator receiving daily intelligence of the threats of Capt. Stone and his party, and their Design against his Ship, endea­voured to get his fraight aboard, which within a smal matter was now accomplished, and the 24 of March in the morning went ashoat to acquaint the Governour thereof and that in pursu­ance of his Imployers trust he intended with the first Expedition to get his water aboard, and so depart the Port, whereupon the Governor and Councel then considered of the stoppage of the ship, receiving daily intelligence from all parts, how subtlely the interest of the Lord Baltemore was carried on, and under such pretences, and how their Adversaries were then near at hand, drew up a special Warrant to command all parties to their assistance, and sent for the Relator hereof, and in the presence of the Coun­cell, the Governor there gave him a particular and strict charge, in the name of his Highness the Lord Protector of England &c. not to offer to depart the Port without their Order, as he and his Company would answer the contempt thereof at their perils, de­claring then how much the Government established by his High­ness in that Province was now concerned, that their Enemies were cruel, and bloody, and very malicious against any that owned the Protestant cause.

The Relator then used several Arguments to the Councel, in behalf of his departure, the trust of the Owners in him, and that their goods were now on board, that his ship was upon Merchants Affairs, and no ship of War; these and many other Reasons were urged, but the necessity of Affairs could admit of no longer dis­pute, and therefore they did require his speedy repair on board.

The Governor also by advice of his Councel had drawn up a special Warrant, and caused the same in the absence of the Rela­tor hereof to be fixed to the Main Mast of his ship, which War­rant he knew nothing of, till his coming on board, the effect where­of followeth,

The Relator at his coming aboard his ship, upon reading the Warrant, had several debates by himself and Officers, and after by himself, and his whole ships company, whom he found then unanimous in their Resolutions for relief of those distressed peo­ple, and that they altered not from their first engagements in Eng­land, to defend to the utmost with their lives and fortunes the e­stablished Government in England, and in all places the Govern­ments subordinate to that, and that the case of the Protestants there was their own, did then resolve not to leave that Port untill God should put an end to the restless condition of their Brethren, or suffer their deliverance to be wrought from so wicked a design (then full ripe) against them.

The same day at night, in order to his ships Affairs, the Re­lator went a shoar to have his Bills of lading firmed, but staid not, being required to attend the Councel, who then imparted to him the certain news of the Enemies entring the Mouth of the Harbor, with a great number of Sloopes and Boats full of men armed, with Drums and Colours, in pursuance of their design, and there­fore required him speedily to repair to his ship, with two of the Councel, and to observe their commands.

That suddenly, or within two hours after at the most, in the very shutting up of the day-light, the ships company descried off, [Page 9]a company of Sloops and Boats, making towards the ship, where­upon the Councel on board, and the ships company, would have made shot at them, but this Relator commanded them to forbear, and went himself upon the Poop in the Stern of his ship, and hailed them several times, & no answer was made, he then charged them not to come nearer the ship, but the Enemy kept rowing on their way & were come within shot of the ship; His Mates and Company having had information of their threatnings, as well against the ship as the poor distressed people, resolved to fire upon them without their Commanders consent, rather than hazzard all by the Enemies nearer approach, whereupon he ordered them to fire a Gun at randum to divert their course from the ship, but the Enemy kept stil course right with the ship, and took no notice of any warning gi­ven; He then commanded his Gunner to fire at them, but one of his Mates, Mr. Robert Morris, who knew the Country very well, the malice of the Adversary against those poor people, who were then near worn out with fears and watchings, made a shot at them, which came fairly with them; Whereupon they suddenly altered their course from the ship, and rowed into the Creek, cal­ling the ships Company, Rogues, Round-headed Rogues, and Dogs, and with many execrations and railing, threatned to fire them on the morning.

The same night came further intelligence from the Enemy in the Harbor as they lay there that they were making fire-works against the ship, whereupon the Governor (whose prudence and valor in this business deserves very much honor) commanded a small ship of Capt. Cuts of New England, then in the River, to lye in the mouth of the Creek to prevent the Enemies coming forth in the night, to work any mischeif against the ship.

The next morning by break of day, being the Lords day, the 25 of March last, the Relator, himself, and Company, discerned Capt. Stone with his whole body drawn out, and coming towards the water side, marching with Drums beating, Colours flying, the Colours were black and yellow appointed by the Lord Balte­more. There was not the least token of any subjection in Stone and his Company, or acknowledgement of the Lord Protector of Eng­land, but God bless the Lord Proprietary, and their rayling a­gainst his ships Company, was Rogues, and Round headed Rogues, &c.

The Governor by this time perceiving his Enemies Quarters and now time admitted no delay, after an earnest seeking of God, and laying their innocency at his feet, with his own Cause, in so re­mote a part of the World, Resolved with an humble chearfulness to go over to the Enemy, and withall sent for the English Colours used aboard the ships in the service of his Highness, which were lent, and fixed to a half pike for the Governors use, he having neither Drum nor Colours in his party, and then went over the River some six miles distant from the Enemy, and at his muster of his party, it consisted of 107 and no more, the Enemys body was then 250 and upwards; as by their selves were related after the fight.

The Governor and his Company being come to an open place, resolved to pitch his Colours there, being the Colours of the Com­monwealth of England, which he beleeved might beget the E­nemy to incline to a parly, and prevent the shedding of blood; by which time the Enemy was come thither, and without any de­liberation at all, made severall shot at the setting down the Co­lours, and as the Relator is informed, killed two of the Governors men; whereupon the Governors Body had the word given them, In the name of God fall an, God is our strength, and with very much courage gave fire at the Enemy, whose word was, Hey for St. Maries, Hey for two Wives, who with great boldness engaged likewise, which came to a very sharp dispute, though, blessed be God, not long till Stone and his whole party totally toured, and near forty of his men slain upon the place (now called by the name of the Papists Pound) and severall desperate­ly wounded. And it pleased the good hand of God to order things so, that notwithstanding the great thickness of the Woods and other advantages for the Enemies, being a very neck of land, there was not above five of the Enemies Body escaped, but what were prisoners and in custody. And of the Governors Company, there was onely three killed in the field, and three since dead of their wounds, which unparalleled mercy did beget a far grea­ter joy than can be related; and to the Relators knowledge no Narration yet made, is to be equalized with the peoples religious, humble and holy rejoycing, each common Souldier with such Christian incitement revived the hearts of one another. Give the glory to the God of our deliverance.

All the Arms bag and baggage was taken together, with the Boats that brought them, wherein was the preparations and fuses, for the firing of the ship Golden Lion.

And amongst the rest of their losses, all their consecrated Ware was taken (viz.) their Pictures, Crucifixes, and rows of Beads, with great store of Reliques and trash they trusted in, which as the Relator is informed, divers was put to the Ancient, or Colours, for their defence; the vanity whereof as also their great boasting in their own strength, hath much confirmed the hearts of the people of God in those parts.

Captain Stone himself was so convinced in this overthrow, that he declared that he did conceive he was cursed, and many such like words expressed, in that he should be brought into so ignominious an overthrow, and the rather, in company with those who hee knew were the very direct and absolute enemies of the people of God, and did much relent his ever undertaking their late Design; Declared further, That it was just with God to blast his com­pany and him, and for his part, did wholly disclaim the Lord Baltemores cause and interest, and ingaged, hee would chuse rather to dye than own his cause, to joyn with the Catho­licks.

The Relator did observe further, when hee came ashore after the fight, God had put such a spirit of fear and trembling in the hearts of the Enemy, that the poor tyred people, who slept as they were keeping the door where the Prisoners were put in, yet their Adversaries durst not attempt to run away.

The Relator amongst the Prisoners found Hely a Sea-man, who run from his Ship at Patuxe [...]t, who was particularly brought before the Councel upon the 28. day of March, 1655. and ex­amined, did there confess, that he was solicited by divers eminent Officers under Captain Stone, to set fire on the Ship, or blow up the Ship Golden Lion, whereof Capt. Roger Heaman is Commander. And some Implements and Materials delivered, and large rewards promised to effect it. And he further declared aboard the Ship, after he was cleared by the Governor, that the firing of the Ship should have been the same night they came into the Harbor with their Boats, and that two of Capt. Stones [Page 12]Officers were to go along with him. And for this service hee was to have twenty thousand weight of Tobacco.

The Governor being daily solicited by the Relator for his dispatch from thence, was some four dayes after the fight dis­charged, at which time, after many thanks of the Governor and people, he set sail with the first opportunity, and came for Pa­tuxent, where he heard a large Narration of the Enemies Threats against him and his Ship, and that they had burned and destroyed a great part of his Wood and Cask. And Hely the second night of his Arrival at Patuxent fearing his Trial at his return home, run away again.

The Relator in this so remarkable a passage, was an eye wit­ness of the constant and religious practises and duties of those precious servants of God, in those remote parts, with what assu­rance of beleeving they rested on the God of their deliverance, that neither the mallice or treachery of so subtle an Adversary could change them, or their resolutions, from waiting upon God for this great mercy which they before-hand did assuredly beleeve and see, as if acted already.

In all this time (notwithstanding the false and scandalous re­ports) that the Relator himself should be a fomenter or stickler amongst the Protestants party, to withstand the lawful power of Captain Stone, Governor under the Lord Baltemore, as some would suggest, he is ready to prove, he never left his ship at any time, unless about his Fraight; or when the Governor by special command enjoyned his appearance at the Councel.

He could say much as to the pretences of Captain Stone, and others, as to the Laws for Liberties, but leaves that to the pru­dence of His Highness the Lord Protector, that hath provided better Governors for the people of God, than profest enemies of his truth, and those who hunt after the innocent.

What he did in relation to the Protestants cause, he doubts not but good men will own, and encourage others to act the like; and to say no more in this, He hath seen the plottings of the Wicked, and the deliverance of the Innocent.

The truth of this Relation, the Relator with his Mer­chants, and all his Ships Company, are ready to justifie.