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

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

decline Acting thro' Infirmity, it is well known he was left
out of the Commission about 20 years ago (without the least
Notice) when he was in the Prime of Life and full Health,
as it was then reported for Inebriety, Gaming and keeping low
Company, and for several years past he has been infirm with
the Gout and other Disorders.
To I am Sir
Upton Scott Esq^r Clerk of the Councill your humble Serv^t
Ruxton Gay.

Baltimore Town 22^d April 1767.
Sir
M^r Ruxton Gay handed to me this day yours directed by
Order of the Governor and Council to Mess^rs Nicholas Ruxton
Gay, William Aisquith, Samuel Owings, Richard Richard and
myself, acquainting us that two Petitions Signed by Sundry
Inhabitants of this County have been presented to his Excel-
lency Complaining of Our extorting various illegal and Op-
pressive Fees for Services Performed by us as Magistrates

p. 461

and that we must take proper Measures to acquit Ourselves of
the Imputations with which we are Charged; As for my own
part I do deny the Charge of the Petitioners being very Sen-
sible have not taken any Fee from any Persons for performing
my Duty as a Magistrate. But as a Private Person I make a
point of making People Pay me for writing for them, which I
think no Law nor the Oath I have taken as a Magistrate can
prevent me for so doing. Should his Excellency and Council
think it necessary for me to appear before them with any of
the Petitioners or all of them I will readily do it, were I can
make every of the said Petitioners appear Persons of no truth
in regard to their Charge against me as a Magistrate. I hope
you will Please send me p the first Convenient Opportunity
Copies of the two Petitions that I may have an Opportunity
of knowing the Petitioners I am Sir
your most Obed^t and hble Serv^t
p. S. Pray set the Petitioners Benjamin Rogers.
Names down I will pay all Charges
for them.
To
Upton Scott Esq^rs

To His Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq^r
We the Subscribers, Inhabitants of Baltimore Town after
Reading or hearing Read a Copy of a Petition of part of the
German Inhabitants of the Town setting forth their Ag-
grievances to your Excellency, that but a Small number of
them understand the English Language and they are at a
great Expence to get Interpreters which they say are not