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

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

well know that I receive no Salary, but am obliged to defray
the Expences incident to my Office and am Supported by the
Fees allotted by Law for particular services, a considerable
part whereof arises from Transcripts and Copies of the
Books and Papers in my Custody. I derive my Commission
from the Lord Proprietary, and until he shall be pleased to
Supersede it no one has a Right to Controul me in the Powers
and Perquisites incident to it either in the whole or in part;
but if a Clerk appointed by you or even by the Lower House
in Session, is to have the Custody of the Books and Papers
lodged in my Office or to take Copies from them, his Authority
pro tanto, would Supersede my Commission, and operate as
an appointment of a new Secretary, or at least, a Coadjutor in
Office. The Nature of the Subject and the Duty of my Station
oblige me in the most explicit and unreserved manner to in-
form you that for the Reasons Suggested, I cannot admit your
Authority, as a Committee of the Lower House, tho' as private
Gentlemen quite independant of and abstracted from all Con-
sideration of your appointment, I shall take great pleasure in
complying with any request you shall think proper to make
Consistent with my Duty, having the Honour to be with great
Regard
19^th February 1767. Gentlemen your most Obedient
Having last night been informed humble Servant
by M^r Ghiselin of your Demand Daniel Dulany,
of some Papers out of the Secretary's
Office, I gave him my Instructions in
Writing this day, to refer you to myself
for any Requisitions you may chuse to make.

p. 449

It was also recommended to Daniel Dulany Esq^r to give the
said Gentlemen notice that if they should think proper to apply
for an Inspection or Examination of any Books records or
Papers in his Office without assuming any Authority under
the Resolve of the Lower House appointing them to act as a
Committee in the Recess of Assembly he will be ready to assist
and accommodate them.
In Consequence of which recommendation M^r Dulany hav-
ing received no Answer to his first Letter sent also to the
aforesaid Gentlemen the following Letter, having received
his Excellency's Approbation thereof Viz^t

Gentlemen
Not having been favoured with an Answer to my Letter of
yesterday I think it proper in order to prevent all Mistake or