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

Liber K.

but reasonable that he should have such fees as formerly the
Secretarys have had
He is assured that such fees as are properly incident to his
Office he shall not be debarred of upon any score but that
every officer ought to receive the fees peculiar to his Office
for what shall be by him done and performed
He then desires to be informed what it is he may claim as
his proper Perquisits
To which it is answered that it is required of him first to
give security for his Place which he desires, to be rightly
informed what Security is required of him; he is again ac-
quainted and given to Understand that the custom in other
places is for four thous^d pounds Sterl, but for that the board is
unwilling to put him to too much trouble or debarr him of
executing his Office two thousand pounds Sterl with security
will be taken and accepted of as sufficient from him he again
moves to know whether he shall be required to give security
before he enter upon the execution of his Office, and also
whether his own Bond with such security as he shall take from
the severall Clerks for their places to be by him assigned may
not be sufficient
Ans^r He may Possibly take very slender security of the
Clerks but the Country will undoubtedly expect good sub-
stantial security from him that will have the custody and keep-
ing of the Records of their Estates &c^a
He desires to know whither or no the Records may be
delivered him before such time as he have given such security
as is required of him
Ans^r It is expected that he first give security
He desires the members of the Board every one severally
to be his Security, which they all Refuse, he then alledges
that an Act impossible to be complyed with him is imposed
upon him he being a meer Stranger and unacquainted in the
Country.
Ans^r The Act is nee're the more impossible for his being
refused by the Councill for that there were others to be found
besides them in the Country, however it is at last resolved
and advised that he proceed in the Execution of his Office as

p. 63

Secretary, and for any other Dispute as to fees &c^a the same
is referred to the consideration and decision of the next
Assembly
S^r Thomas alledges that formerly by Act of Assembly of
this Province there was allowed to the Secretary of this Prov-
ince a fee of £2. 1. 4 for entring and Clearing of any Ship or
Vessell &c^a which when the Lord Baltemore thought fitt to
take to himself, he gave them in Lieu thereof the Ordinary
Licenses that since there is an Order of Councill lately passed