xviii             Letter of Transmittal.

        ing. All of those pardoned were planters, which indicates that stealing a neigh-
        bor's hog was a popular sport among the early settlers.
          A curious instance is recorded where a certain indentured servant, John
        Oliver, of St. Mary's County, was convicted, February 20, 1677-8, of stealing
        seven shillings sixpence of English money and a Spanish piece of eight. He
        demanded the benefit of clergy which was granted, and then admitted that he
        could not read the Book, and was promptly sentenced to death. Five days later
        the Lord Proprietary, acting as Governor, pardoned Oliver upon condition that
        he become General Hangman of the Province for the rest of his life, with the
        further proviso that he should serve his master, Richard Chillman, for the
        remainder of the term for which he was indentured to him, and that after the
        expiration of this time he make restitution to Chiliman by further servitude
        until the fees due the sheriff for his imprisonment should be paid (pages
        214-215).

          Under the Great Seal of the Chancellor proclamations or writs for holding
        a General Assembly were issued by the Governor addressed to the sheriffs of
        the several counties. A number of these will be found recorded here. In several
        cases it is recited that the sessions called under previous writs had been pro-
        rogued and not held at the time appointed in a former writ. In a warrant issued
        by Gov. Charles Calvert to Nathaniel Stiles, sheriff of Cecil County, October 14,
        1674, under the Lesser Seal, the sheriff is ordered to make proclamation of an
        election to choose delegates to the Assembly from that county, directed to all
        freemen who have visible seated plantations of at least five hundred acres, or
        visible personal estates of the value of £40 sterling, qualifying them to be
        electors (page 33).
          The first entry recorded by Robert Ridgely soon after he became Register of
        the Chancery, and recorded, September 10, 1671, in Liber P. C., is the second
        charter of St. Mary's City, granted by Cecilius Calvert, and issued under the
        Great Seal, and enrolled, September 11, 1671. The charter proper is immedi-
        ately followed by the oath of fidelity required to be taken by all officers under
        the Lord Proprietary, and the special oath of office required of the mayor, re-
        corder, aldermen, and common councilmen. Philip Calvert as Chancellor was
        ordered to issue out a dedimus potestatem for swearing in the various officers
        selected, and to issue out a writ to these to meet and select two inhabitants of
        the city to serve as delegates in the next General Assembly. This writ was
        endorsed showing that the members of the corporation and free citizens of
        the city had selected John Morecroft, the recorder, and Thomas Notley, an
        alderman, as delegates to the Assembly. Writs are also recorded directed to
        Morecroft and Notley under the Great Seal, certifying as to their election, and
        ordering their attendance at the coming Assembly.