The Lower House. 203

of Helmes, arises from an Information that he has been guilty of
great Fraud in obtaining a Sum of Money from M.^r Nicholas
Maccubbin; and we think, that when a Prisoner's Character is not
clear, he is not entitled to our Favour. We have great Reason also,
to suspect that John Doncastle hath acted with a great Degree of
Unfairness, if not of Fraud, towards one of his Creditors, the Cir-
cumstances whereof having been communicated to this House in
the Petition of Doctor David Ross. For those Reasons, we think
that the other Prisoners, whose Conduct hath not been objected to,
ought to be distinguished from Helmes and Doncastle, in our

Consideration.
Signed by Order U. Scott, Cl. Up. Ho.

On reading the Alterations proposed by the Upper House to the
Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of several languishing Prison-
ers &.^ta the House agrees therewith. The Alterations were made,
and the Bill was indorsed: Read, and with the proposed Altera-
tions, passed for ingrossing
The Committee appointed December 20, 1765, to correspond
with Charles Garth, Esq in Recess of Assembly, and to bring in
now an Answer to M.^r Garth's Letters to the Speaker, to be sent
him now by the House, in the Name of the Speaker, were con-
tinued, with the Addition of J. Hall, Esq

The House adjourns till 2 of the Clock.

Post Meridiem.
The House met
M.^r Hall of Baltimore hath Leave of Absence.

M.^r Edmondson brings in, and delivers to M.^r Speaker, the
following Report, Viz.^t

By the Committee of Elections and Privileges, Dec.^r 4, 1766.
Your Committee having inspected the Writs directed to the
Sheriffs of Saint Mary's and Dorchester Counties; and also the
Writ directed to the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen of the City
of Annapolis, for electing Deputies and Delegates to serve in this
General Assembly, and the Returns thereto annexed; do find, That
M.^r John Hall, a Delegate for the City of Annapolis, is duly
returned. That Col. John Henry is returned a Delegate for Dor-
chester County; but, that the Writ, to which the Indenture is an-
nexed, has no Indorsement thereon. And also, That M.^r Thomas
Key, is returned a Delegate for Saint Mary's County; but, that
the Writ, to which the Indenture is annexed, has no Indorsement
thereon.
All which is humbly submitted to the Consideration of the
Honourable House.
Signed per Order, Henry Wilkins, Cl.

L. H. J.

Liber No. 52
Dec. 4