Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1692-1694. 411

Revolution the said Bonner did demean and behave and carry
himself as a true and faithful Subject of their said Majestys for
which cause the late Convention restored him again to his
former place of Clerk of this County, since the dissolution
whereof your Honours have likewise been pleased to confirm
the said Place of Clerk of this County unto him, Now we
being credibly informed that Sir Thomas Lawrence Secretary
of this Province intends to remove the said Bonner and to
impose a Stranger upon us for Clerk of this County a person
altogether unacquainted with the same and in whom we dare
not repose so great a trust therefore we humbly pray that as
hitherto, so your Honours would still continue the said Bonner
in the said Place of Clerk of this County, Wee humbly apply
our selves to your Honours for redress herein and if it shall
seem meet and convenient to your Honours we further humbly
pray that this our present condition maybe represented to the
King and Councill
And We shall &c
Ferdinando Battee Edward Carter William Cole
Thomas Linchcomb Iohn Hawkins Iohn Willowby
Iohn Watkins Iohn Iordain Iohn Larkin
Robert Lockwood Robert Procter Thomas Hughs
Iohn Chappee

Liber K.

Iohn Hammond
William Holland
Henry Ridgely
Iames Saunders
Samuel Young
Nich Gassaway
Abell Browne

Iustices

S^r Thomas Lawrence present at the reading and hearing of
the foregoing petition makes his defence thereto and conceives
that he hath sufficient power by his Commission and Instruct^s
to nominate and appoint the Clerks in every County, and the
Person whom he hath put into Ann Arundell County if he be
not yet acquainted himself with the methods and proceedings
of that Office may for pay procure and employ such Persons
under him as may both Officiate for him and instruct him
therein untill such time as he may become capable to manage
the same himself The said S^r Thomas further alledges that
he himself did propose and offer to the said Bonner that if he
would undertake to officiate for and under the Person by him
nominated as aforesaid for some time till he might be rendred
capable of doing it himself, he shoud have and receive for the
same the half of the Fees and Profits of the Office and that if
any other Vacancy should happen he should be preferred
thereto so that indeed he hath no reason to Complain

p. 92