124 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761.

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

levied, and still continue to levy without any Authority as
we know 12^d sterling on every Hhd of Tobacco exported
out of this Province, which Tax amounting to a very large
Sum, the Proprietary converts to his own proper Use.
That many Fines and Forfeitures, approprietated by Act
of Assembly for the support of Government are also received
by the Proprietary, and converted as aforesaid whereby all
the Exigencies of the Government (some of which these
Fines were undoubtedly intended to answer) must be pro-
vided for by the heavy Taxes on the people.
These and other Aggrievances, some of which are below
mentioned are Burthens too heavy to bear, and as the present
situation of our Affairs demand our utmost Efforts to repell
the Invasion of a powerful and perfidious Enemy, and to
guard ourselves, against our inveterate Enemies the Jesuits,
and their Emissaries.
That as the many Attempts you have made to obtain Bills,
for the salutary purposes above mentioned, the appointing
an Agent to represent our Aggrievances to the Throne there-
by to procure a final determination of them have proved in-
effectual, that you will fall upon some other Measures, as will
best answer the purposes aforesaid, which we humbly assure
your Honours we will support by private Contribution to the
utmost of our Abilities,
And your Petitioners as in duty bound will pray &c.

Annapolis April 3^d 1756.
Gentlemen
We have on very seriously considering our unhappy Dif-
ferences, come to a Resolution to send home a proper Gentle-
man or two, as Agents to endeavour to have our Grievances
redressed, but think it proper the Matter should take its rise
among the People, or at least that it should have that Appear-

p. 101

ance, for which purpose, petitions are putting about in almost
every County, I should think there need not a single Argu-
ment to enforce a Thing of this Sort, therefore shall only say
further that a Subscription will no doubt be gone into, and its
at present, thought £2000 sterling will be a sufficient Sum if
agreeable this might come down by next Friday when the
disagreeable Affair of our Court House will come on, I may
say unreasonable when so many Affairs of the highest Im-
port ought to employ our whole Thoughts, for your Perusal
you have Copy of a Petition going about here for the Pur-
pose, which will serve to strike out from. I am with the
most sanguine Wishes for the Prosperity of Maryland.
D^r Sirs your Friend & servant
M^r Earle.