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

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

that he is sincerely sorry for his Crime and will not be guilty
of an Offence of this Nature for the future, I hope your Ex-
cellency will be pleased to extend your Mercy towards him,
and Grant him a Pardon, which will greatly oblige.
S^t Marys County Your Excellency's
23^d June 1766. Obedient and humble Servant
Hugh Hopewell.
Sir
My friend M^r Hopewell, having a Negro Man Slave under
Sentence of Death in S^t Marys County and intending to make
Application to your Excellency for a Pardon, requested of me
to Write you on the Subject. The Man was Condemned for
opening his Masters Store with a false Key, which he had
procured and Stealing Goods not of great Value, his Convic-
tion was on his own Confession, and his Master assures me,
that this was his first Offence, and that he is a very Valuable
Slave. If under these Circumstances, it is Consistent and you
will be pleased Pardon him, I shall be much Obliged to you.
I am with sincere Esteem and Respect
Your Excellency's most Obedient and humble
Ronsby Hall Servant Will^m Fitzhugh
15^th June 1766.

p. 431

Sir
By this Messenger your Excellency will receive the Pro-
ceedings of Our Court relating to the Trial and Condemnation
of a Slave the Property of M^r Hugh Hopewell, his Crime not
being of a very heinous Nature, and his Master desirous of
saving him as it was his first Offence, and he a very valuable
Fellow, I am induced to Solicit your Excellency's Pardon for
him, I am not fond of having Rogues escape Punishment, but
on the Contrary should rather choose they should Suffer as
Examples to others, particularly Negroes, among whom Vil-
lainy and Roguery is but too Common, yet on this Occasion I
must hope your Excellency will grant what is desired.
I am with great Regard your Excellency's most
Obed^t and Obliged humble Servant
22^d June 1766. Geo: Plater.

Ordered by His Excellency the Governor with the Advice of
this Board that a Pardon issue to the aforesaid Negro Jack,
which issued accordingly.

Read the Transcript of the Conviction of Negro Jonathan
Slave of Basil Smith of Charles County Convicted of Robbing