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

Lib. J. R.

& U. S.

when having any Controversy among themselves, to make
Journeys to Baltimore Town, and to Pay to Mess" Nicholas
Ruxton Gay, Benjamin Rogers and William Aisquith such
Fees they are pleased to Exact and Extort from your Peti-
tioners, Commonly as follows Viz^t for the Signing a Search
Warrant or Warrant of the Peace from Eighteen pence to two
Shillings, for Certificates of no Tobacco being made three
pence for Signing Probates of Accounts on Notes and Bonds
Sixpence for Certificates of Estrays two Shillings, Burning
of Squirrell Scalps one out of four equal to pence, and for
the Signing or taking acknowledgements on Deeds two Shil-
lings in Lieu of one, the only Fee allowed to his Lordships
Justices by the Laws of this Province, the others being un-
precedented Exactions Grievous to your Petitioners and they
humbly apprehend reflecting on the good Rule and Dignity of
Government.
Your Petitioners furthermore beg leave to inform your
Excellency, There being in your Petitioners' Neighbourhood
Gentlemen as well Descended as well Educated and as Capable
as any in the Commission of the Peace, to serve his Lordship
as Magistrates willing to transact Publick and private affairs
without Fee or Reward, they humbly pray one or more of
them be appointed for their Relief in the Premisses,
Your Petitioners furthermore beg to be indulged, and to
recommend to your Excellency's Favour Cap^t William Bond
who has heretofore served in the Station aforesaid with
Credit and with general applause, but being through In-
firmities rendered incapable to Act, then Frayed to be left out

p. 457

of the Commission until enabled by the Recovery of his former
Health to serve his Lordship, your Excellency's Condescen-
sion in favour, and for the great relief of your Petitioners the
Inhabitants of their Neighbourhood and others shall ever be
most Gratefully remembered and Dutifully acknowledged.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound will Pray &c.
James Richard Benjamin Mead Will^m Bond Whithead
John Buck Henry Oram John Murray
Will^m Bond Jun. Chancy Hatten Joseph Crook
Daniel Watkins Richard Jones

Ordered that the Clerk of this Board write the following
Letter to the Gentlemen accused in the above Petitions ac-
quainting them of the Matters laid to their Charge.

15^th April 1 767.
Gentlemen
I am ordered by the Governor and Council to acquaint you
that two Petitions have been presented to His Excellency