in the Years 1691-92. 289

To the Right Hon^ble the Lords of the
Commity of Trade and Plantation

Whereas by the Laws and Constitutions of the province of
Maryland in America divers offices are and have for a long
time past been setled and enjoyed by their proper officers with
certane Fees Profits and perquisites declared unto them
appertaining. And in particular The office of Secretary of the
Province at a Generall Assembly held May the 15^th 1676 was
by severall Acts of the said Assembly Established The Fees
and perquisites thereunto belonging appointed and ascer-
tained By which it appears That The Secretary is in the Nature
of his Office Cheif Clerk Prothonotary and Register of the
said Province, and as such has always nominated and Ap-
pointed the Ten clerks of the Ten County Courts of Maryland.
Which Office it hath pleased their Maieteys graciously to
bestow upon S^r Thomas Lawrence Barr^t by their Patent
bearing date Sep^t the 5^th 1691 together with all Rights Priv-
iledges Profits perquisites and Advantages to the said office
belonging incident or in any wise appertaining. And in such
manner and form as any Secretary of any of their Maiestys
Provinces in America for or by reason of the Exercise or
Execution of such Office or Place may lawfully have receive
or enioy And whereas his Maiesty hath lately Thought fit to
take the Government of the said Province of Maryland into his
hande and under his immediate care whereby some doubt or
dispute may arise whither or no the said present Laws and
Constitutions of Maryland are still in force And that by such
interpretations his Maiestys Grant to S^r Thomas Lawrence
may become ineffectuall to him or changed into an office
different from what hath long been and is at present Consti-
tuted in the said Province and as such is granted to him by
his said Patent. Upon these Considerations and to avoid all
disputes which may happen touching the Nature of his said
Office of Secretary of the said Province S^r Thomas Lawrence
humbly representeth this Matter unto that Honorable Board
And Prays That your Lordships will please to declare your
Iudgement touching the force of the said present Laws and
Constitutions of Maryland untill the said Laws and Constitu-
tions shall be further explained or such new Regulations made
as his Maiesty upon due Information shall in his great wisdom
be pleased to approve and Confirm
Thomas Lawrence.
(Endorsed)
The Memoriall of S^r Thomas
Lawrence Barr^t secretary of
Maryland,
read att the Committee
Nov: 15: 1691.

P. R. O.
Maryland
B. I. Vol. 2,
B. F.
p. 11