Appendix. 553

pose of Keeping the Public Records, whereon the Estates of many
of his Majesty's Subjects of this County, and elsewhere, depend;
which are thereby, and from its lonesome Situation, exposed to the
open Attempts of malicious ill-designing or wanton People being
executed without Alarm.

That the said Town of Joppa is on a low Peninsula, the Isthmus
into which is so miry, as to be often nearly impassable, especially
after high Tides, or heavy Rains, which overflowing the Isthmus,
reduce the Situation of the Town to an Island: From whence and
from the Want of navigable Water up to the said Town, and for
many Miles below it, other than for Shallops and smaller Vessels;
and also from the Length the said Town has been laid out, and its
little Improvement, or Increase of Inhabitants, Your Petitioners
cannot flatter themselves with the most distant Hopes of any favour-
able Alteration therein.

That the County-Goal, from its original ill Construction, has been
a continual Expence to the County, and although large Quantities
of the Public Tobacco have been frequently levied and expended
thereon, hath always proved defective and insufficient to restrain
the Attempts of Criminals and other Prisoners; great Numbers of
whom have escaped to the Loss and Vexation of the Sheriffs and
Suitors, and not a little to the Discredit of the County; and there
being no Yard or Windows to the said Prison, other than Windows
in the Front, and no Draft or Air through the same, such Prisoners
as do not escape, suffer additional Misery from the Loss of their
Health.

These Considerations, may it please Your Excellency and Hon-
ors, your Petitioners humbly hope, may justify their present Ap-
plication for a new Court-House and Prison. But when it is added,
That from the Scarcity of Houses and necessary Accommodation
in the said Town of Joppa, the People, who attend the Courts, are
for the most Part obliged to ride by Night to their Houses or
Country Neighbours for Lodging, in all Weathers, whereby they
are often exposed to the Danger of Catching violent Colds, Pleuri-
sies, and other Disorders; early Adjournments and late Meetings
of the Courts are unavoidable, and the Public Business Greatly re-
tarded: And when it is also considered, that the Town of Balti-
more is free from the Inconveniences to which Joppa is subject;
that there are therein Houses sufficient to accommodate, with Ease
and in Plenty, much greater Numbers of People than are used to
attend our Courts; and from the Number of Inhabitants residing
therein, a Court-House and prison would be better secured against the
Attempts aforesaid: That the said Town is situate on a fine River,
navigable for large Ships, and within a few Years past has greatly
encreased in Trade, and is daily increasing therein and in Buildings,
Inhabitants, Merchants, Mechanics and others; insomuch that the