426 Journal and Correspondence.

June 5
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 423

Solemnity of sending a Gentleman of distinguished Character, with
high appointments; for such is the Principle upon which this Com-
mission is given; merely to Negotiate with Merchants, a common
Mercantile transaction; may create doubts where none were before
entertained; and impress an Idea, that we ourselves have not the
most favorable opinion of the Justice of our Claim.
Altho' the Act contains a positive direction to appoint a Gentleman
of Abilities and Address, the Legislature could mean no more than
that he should be well qualified to discharge the trust (i e) that he
should possess the ordinary essential qualifications of a Merchant.
It is not in the Character of an Ambassador that he is to appear —
nor can he possibly be engaged in any measure as Agent, in which
exalted talents, a refined skill in Politics, the insinuating address of a
Courtier, or a profound knowlege in the Laws, can be drawn into
Service. The line of conduct to be pursued by him, is clearly this —
He discloses his Commission to the Trustees, and Demands a trans-
fer, or Assignment of the bank Stock, — if they refuse, the only
remedy then is, an application to the Chancery; (perhaps the Act
does not even empower him to take this Step) the sollicitors of that
Court, must then transact the Business; and the determination will
be conformable to the Laws of the Land, and not to the Arbitrary
Will of a Minister — if as was suggested in the Legislature, a Minis-
ter could be found, weak enough to interfere in a Case where his
interposition could not possibly have the smallest influence. —
Ben. Stoddert—

p. 424

The Council then proceeded to the appointment of an Agent and
Trustee, when Samuel Chase Esquire was elected, and the follow-
ing Commission issued to him
The State of Maryland To Samuel Chase Esq^r Greeting.
Be it known that reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your
Zeal, Fidelity and good Conduct We have nominated and appointed
you Agent and Trustee to execute the Trust, Powers and Authori-
ties under the Act entitled an Act concerning the Stock of the Bank
of England belonging to this State : And we do hereby authorize and
empower you to do and perform, transact and Negotiate all Matters
and Things required by the said Act agreeably to the Directions
thereof and such Instructions as may be given you.
Done in Council at Annapolis this fifth Day of June in the year
of our Lord One thousand, seven hundred and Eighty three and in
the Eighth year of our Independence." —

June 5
Liber No. 78
p. 443

[W^m Paca in Council Annapolis to M^r Shaw.]

As there are only a few Barrels of Powder now remaining in the
Magazine near the Head of Seven, it is thought unnecessary to a keep
a Guard there any longer; You will therefore be pleased to have it
brought to this place immediately and taken care of.