66 Assembly Proceedings, April 26-May 28, 1737.

L. H. J.
Lib. No. 45

M^r Grundy Pemberton a Returned member for Queen Anns
County appeared in the House this afternoon.
M^r George and M^r Tilghman ordered to go to the Up^r House and
see him Take the Several Oaths to the Government they return and
acquaint M^r Speaker they see him Qualified. On Consideration of
the report made by the Committee of Aggrievances The House made
the following resolves Viz.
Resolved by this House that the Exacting and Extorting from
his Lordships faithfull Tenants in Maryland foreign Gold and
Silver in Discharge of their Quit rents and Alienation fines at any
rate under the Sterling Value is Illegall and Oppresive and a mani-
fest Violation of the Rights and Libertys of the People
Resolved by this House that Philip Thomas and Gilbert Crockett
have in an Illegal and unreasonable manner Exacted and Extorted
from the Inhabitants of This Province for Quit rents Several Sums
of foreign Gold and Silver at a rate far Inferiour to its Sterling
Value Contrary to his Lordships Instructions and also Sums of
money on pretence of fees for their Trouble in Collecting that is not
warranted by any Law or Custom and further resolved that an
Humble Address be presented to His Excellency Setting forth the
Oppressions Exactions and Extortions aforesaid by the same Philip
Thomas and Gilbert Crockett Committed and to Entreat His Excel-
lency to order prosecutions against them for the said Crimes and that
His Excellency would be pleased to use his Endeavours to prevent
such for the future
M^r Stoughton M^r Hammond and M^r George ordered to Draw an
Address to the Governour to set forth the Grievances Reported by
the Committee.
M^r Philip Thomas and M^r Gilbert Crockett were ordered to attend
they Attended accordingly.
M^r Speaker acquainted them that this House was of opinion that
they had in an Illegal manner Exacted and Extorted from many
Inhabitants of this Province for Quit rents Several Sums of forreign
Gold and Silver at a rate far Inferior to the Sterling Value Con-
trary to the Lord Proprietary his Instructions and also Sums of
money and Tobacco on pretence of fees for their Trouble in Collect-
ing all which were not only Aggrievances but Tended to Alienate the
minds of his Lordships faithful Tenants that this House was further
of Opinion that they make restitution to the Several persons from
whom they Extorted those sums mentioned and pay the Several
fees due and the Charges of the Evidence upon which they are

p. 708

Discharged any further Attendance on this House.
Philip Lee Esq^r from the Upper House Delivers M^r Speaker a
Bill Entituled A Supplementary Act to the Act Entituled an Act for
the more Effectual Punishment of Negroes and Other Slaves and