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

Lib. C. B.

No. 20

Riot concerning the Stamp Act. by the Information I could
have no other view but the Dignity of the Government, where-
fore have and do still beyond Measure suffer, the Magistrates
mentioned in the Petition would not admit me to Bail, tho'
they have Murderers, my House, Drawers, and Coffers &c.
were broke open by the High Sheriff, deputed on the Occasion,
my Family Confined in my Absence for want of Bail, and on
my Arrival no time allowed to secure my House or Goods,
many of the latter having since been Plundered, I was hurried
in the most Loathsome place Imaginable, and without being
allowed fire or Candle, or even the least thing to Lye upon,
Locked up with the three unhappy Persons who now Experi-
ence your Excellency's Clemency, where am still, being al-
lowed Candles only, the House open to all Weathers on each
side, and Floor also, my Table and Bed within four foot of the
place where forced by Nature to repair, and constantly af-
flicted by the Rheumatism, my deplorable Condition forces me
to become Importunate; if your Excellency to Mercy inclined,
will save my Life my Gratitude shall be Eternal, and for the
same I can offer only my Vows and Prayers to Almighty God
for Your Excellency's present and Eternal well being.
I most humbly do crave Leave to Subscribe myself Your
Excellency's
Most obedient most humble Servant,
Balt. County 18^th Nov^r 1768. James Richard.

May it please your Excellency
At Baltimore County August Adjourned Court, several of
the Gentlemen of the Bar left their Papers one Evening in the
Court House, in the Night the House was broke open, and the
Papers stolen, to the Great Loss of many of the suitors, whose

p. 35

Original Bonds, Notes of Hand, and other Evidences had
been left with their Attornies. James Richard is in Custody
charged with several Larcenies, and was generally suspected
of knowing at least, what had become of the Stolen Papers,
some of the Lawyers therefore urged Richard to a discovery,
under their repeated Promise of an Application to Your Ex-
cellency to extend Mercy to him by granting him a general
Pardon, and a Pardon to the Person who broke the House and
Stole the Papers and his Accomplices for that Fact. These
Promises have had such a good Effect, that Richard has
returned all the Papers. It remains with us may it please
Your Excellency to request that you will be pleased to Exer-
cise your usual Clemency, under these Circumstances where