142 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1761-1769.

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

her favour. It appears that M^r Smith being absent from the
Plantation, the negro drew some Cyder out of a Cask in an Out
House and left it runing, this being discovered before M^r Smith
returned home, her Mistress threatened to tell her Master
and have her whipped, The Wench during her Master's
absence applied several times to her Mistress begging forgive-
ness for this fault and praying she would conceal it from her
Husband, but she refused. On this refusal and despairing of
better Success on repeating her Application, the Negro went
into the Kitchen took a live Coal from the fire, carried it
between two Chips to The Tobacco House, which was but a
small distance and of a low Pitch and applied it to some Corn
Fodder which was under the Eves of the House, and the Wind
blowing hard, blew up the Coal which immediately kindled the
Fodder and the Tobacco together with the House, the Dwell-
ing House and some other Out-houses were entirely con-
sumed. The Conflagration was so sudden and but few People
on the Plantation that but little of the Household furniture
was saved. On Monday last M^rs Smith came to my House and
begged I would apply to the Governor for his Excellency's
Pardon for the Wench, telling me if the Negro is Executed
she never can forgive herself for obstinately Persisting in her
Threats of having her punished for the fault she had Com-
mitted, that she knows not whether she may not have been
intoxicated with the Liquor she drew and that she has hereto-
fore behaved herself as well as negroes in Common do, M^r
Smith too is willing that His Excellency shew her Mercy.
This is the best and fullest Information I can give in this
matter and to enable his Excellency to determine on the Oc-
casion I must not Omitt to mention that there have been two
other Tobacco Houses full of Tobacco burnt in this County
this Winter. One of them belonging to M^rs Eleanor Harrison,
there is great Reason to Suspect was set on fire by her Negro
Man Jack now in Prince George's County Goal, he lately es-
caped out of the Prison of this County to which he had been
committed for a Theft, and M^rs John Kent the Owner of the
other suspects his to have been set on fire by some Person with
design to prejudice him, as it was burnt at a Time when none
of the Family had had fire in it for a great while preceeding the
Accident.
Calvert County 3^d May 1766 I am Sir respectfully
To Doctor Upton Scott your most obedient Servant
Clerk of the Council Charles Grahame
The Consideration of the above Matter is further postponed
untill the next Meeting.