Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1761-1769. 183

I hereby Certify that the aforegoing is a true Copy taken
from the Journal of the Lower House of Assembly November
Session 1766.
Test
M: Macnemara Cl: Lo: Ho :

The Preceding Letter and Extract from the Lower House
referred to in that Letter having been delivered to his Excel-
lency the Governor by Daniel Dulany Esq^r and his Excellency
having been pleased to call a Council the following Letter was
read and approved of as proper for M^r Dulany to send to the
Gentlemen who Subscribed the first mentioned Letter in Con-
sequence whereof his Excellency was pleased to give his Direc-
tion to M^r Dulany to send the same which follows in these
Words Viz^t

Gentlemen
My Clerk M^r Ghiselin, this day, at about one oClock, deliv-
ered to me your Letter, in which you are pleased to refer him to
an Extract from the Journals of the Lower House of As-
sembly November Session 1766. for your Authority as a Com-
mittee appointed by the Resolve of that Branch of the Legis-
lature, to inspect and examine all the Journals of the Upper
House in the Secretary's Office preceding the year 1704 and
also of the Lower House preceding the year 1693 and between
1696 and 1704. On Perusal of the Extract I observe the
Lower House resolved that you as a Committee in the Recess
of Assembly should have free access to all Papers, Books &
Records in any of the Publick Offices, to search and examine
the same and demand, and take Copies of any part thereof
you should think proper, and moreover that you should have
Power to employ a Clerk with the daily Allowance of Clerks in
Session the Lower House engaging to take Care that you as a
Committee should be indemnified in prosecuting this as well
as other Branches of inquiry directed by the above Resolve.
In Consequence of his Excellency the Governor's Prorogation
the Authority of the Lower House I conceive determined, and
as that Branch of the Legislature could not continue their
whole Authority, neither could Part of their Authority, by
their Single Act, or Resolve be conferred upon particular
Members as a Committee to be exercised after the said Pro-
rogation. In Virtue of my Appointment to the Office of Sec-
retary, the Custody of all Books and Papers lodged therein
belongs to me and for their entire Preservation I have given
Security in a large Sum, I am at a great Expence in the neces-
sary Provisions for discharging the Duties of my Office, You

Lib. J. R.

& U. S.
p.448