xx Introduction.

For example, during the session held in 1769 and also during one but not both
of the sessions held in 1770 committees on elections and privileges, on accounts,
and to inspect the several public offices were designated (pp. 41, 48, 210). Only
during the session held in 1769 was a committee appointed to correspond with
Charles Garth, the Agent representing the Lower House in dealings with the
Lord Proprietary (p. 92). Another committee, appointed during the session
held in 1769, but at only one of the sessions held in 1770, was concerned with
the accounts and proceedings of the commissioners appointed by virtue of the
act for the payment of public claims, for emitting bills of credit, and other
purposes therein mentioned (pp. 7, 41, 46, 173, 209).

At a meeting of the General Assembly on November 18, 1769, John Duckett
and James Brook (or Brooks) were appointed clerks to the several committees
(p. 41). Later, on November 22, Henry Gassaway was made a clerk to the
committees (p. 47), and, six days later, Ralph Dobinson was appointed one
(p. 53). The Lower House, which met in September 1770, made Thomas
Brooke Hodgkin and John Johnson clerks to the several committees (pp. 214-
215). During the following month Hodgkin was discharged as clerk (p. 253).

At the session of the General Assembly, which met from November 5 to
November 21, 1770, Ralph Dobinson and Thomas Brooke Hodgkin were again
made committee clerks (pp. 374, 375, 376). It was one of the duties of these
clerks to sign the various reports from the different committees which were
submitted to the Speaker of the Lower House (pp. 52, 280-282, 384-386).

When some important matter was under consideration, the Lower House
would resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House (pp. 53, 54, 214,
216, 217, 221-224, 226-228).

CHAPLAINS

Although not called "Chaplains," Anglican ministers at this period performed
duties which today are incumbent upon Chaplains. When the Lower House
convened in November, 1769, the Reverend [William] Edmiston read the
Divine Service every morning before proceedings began (p. 41; see also Arch.
Md. LXI, xliv-xlv). At the session which met from September 25 to November
2, 1770, the Reverend [Jonathan] Boucher performed the same duties (p. 208;
Jonathan Boucher, American Loyalist, by James E. Pate, Md. Hist. Mag. Vol.
XXV, 305-309). During the November 5-21 session the Reverend Jacob
Hindman was appointed to read the service (p. 381; Md. Hist. Mag. Vol.
XXVII, 31, 32; History of Talbot County, by Oswald Tilghman, Vol. II, 113).

DOORKEEPERS AND SERJEANTS-AT-ARMS

There is no record of the appointment of a doorkeeper during the session
of the General Assembly which met in 1769. It is possible that Cornelius
Howard, who had been made doorkeeper during the May-June 1768 session,
continued to act in that capacity (Arch. Md. LXI, 328). When the Lower
House convened on September 25, 1770, Robert Reynolds was appointed