352 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1692-1694.

Liber K.

his ... Industry, care, and hard Labour it hath pleased God

far above his Deserts to bless him with, now may it Please
your Excellency so it is that whereas your Petitioner being
very credibly informed of your Great Clemency and Compas-
sion, as well towards the poor, as the rich made him presume
humbly to prostrate these at your Feet for redress, praying
your Grave and serious Consideration in the premises here-
after mentioned, whereas your Petitioner almost two Years
since hath had one Daughter, who unfortunately having too
much Familiarity and Commerce with a Certain Negro Man
was supposed by him to have a Child, for which he is truly
sorry, now since her supposed delivery the Iustices of Cal-
vert County, have at a Court held there in Ianuary was a
twelve month last past, without a due Examination of the

p. 39

Premises, or hearing any Evidence on her part hath illegally
found her Guilty, and for the remitting her Punishment out of
ill will to your Petitioner, have laid on him a Fine of six thou-
sand pound of Tobacco the like President was never known of
before, Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays your Excel-
lencys Clemency that you woud please to grant an Order to
the Iustices of the said County, for the remitting of the said
unreasonable Fine, or at least so much of it as to your Excel-
lency may seem convenient, otherwise your Petition^r is doubtful
that now in his old Age he and his Family in a manner are
likely to be ruined, and further your Petitioner hopes that
his request may be granted, by reason that what hath been
done, was done before your Excellencys happy arrival into this
Province for which
Your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray

The Contents of the Foregoing Petition is referred to further
Consideration for answer to be given thereto
His Excellency the Governor having Granted to Tho^s
Tench Esq^r the following Commission did order the same to
be recorded in this Iournal as follows Viz^t

Maryland ss
William & Mary by the Grace of God King & Queen of
England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defenders of the
Faith &c^a To Thomas Tench of Ann Arundell County Esq^r
Greeting, Out of the especial trust and confidence we have
in your Loyalty Integrety prudent care and circumspection,
we have ordained Constituted and appointed, as by these
Presents we do ordain Constitute, and appoint, you the said
Thomas Tench, Our Treasurer or Receiver Generall of our
publick Dues and duties in our Province of Maryland, Viz^t the
four pence p Gallon Imposition on all liquors imported into