Council of Maryland, 1783-1784. 545

Henry Stevenson's Bond to Jonathan Plowman, deceased, dated
2^d March 1764 amounting with Interest to the 1^st Oct^r next to Two
hundred and Eighty three pounds, four shillings & five pence, was
exhibited to this Board exam^d & approved. —
The Council adjourned 'till to morrow morning 11 ^oClock. —

September
29
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 507

Thursday 30^th September 1784
The Honble Sam^l T. Wright & Aquila Paca Esq^rs attended. —

September
30
Liber C. B.

No. 24
p. 507

Friday 1^st October 1784
The Council met

Present His Excellency William Paca Esq^r Governor.
The Honorable
Samuel T. Wright — John Davidson and Aquila Paca Esquires —
The Council adjourned till Friday the 8^th of October Instant —

October 1
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 508

Friday 8^th October 1784
The Council met
Present the Honorable

John H Stone, John Davidson & Charles Wallace Esquires. —
A Petition from William Watson of Caecil County, was laid be-
fore the Board, setting forth, that upwards of three Years ago, he
retailed two Barrels of Brandy by the Gallon, Quart, and Pint, some
small part thereof by accident was drank in his House, which he did
not forbid, as he was ignorant of the Penalty thereby incurred —
that he was presented to March Term 1780, and four Presentments
found against him for selling Spiritous Liquors by the small — That
the said William Watson being unacquainted with Court Proceed-
ings, was advised by some of his Friends to stand Trial, and was
accordingly bound over to appear at October Term 1783 held by
Adjournment in December following — that he appeared to take his
Trial, but was then advised by the Prosecutor to withdraw his Plea,
and Submit his Case to the Judgment of the Court, who immedi-
ately thereupon committed him to Prison until Payment should be
made of the fines and fees on the aforesaid four Presentments —
that from a Variety of unfortunate Circumstances he was rendered
unable to pay the fees alone, and representing his distressed Situa-
tion to the Clerk of the County, he very readily gave up his fees —
that he is now Confined for the Payment of the fines accruing on the
four Presentments, and having a Wife and several small Children
who depend on his Labour for support, prays to be relieved from

35

October 8
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 508