Provincial Court Proceedings, 1672.   47



      of William Graves of Patuxent River aforesayd planter then and LiberJJ
      there found then and there feloniously did steale take and Carry
      away against the peace of the said Lord Proprietary his Rule and
      Dignity.                 Endorsed Billa Vera.

       James Neale Junt being called appeares who Desired Councell James Neal
      to be assigned him by the who ordered Mr Morecroft one of Junr
      the Attorneys of this Cort to be of Councill for the prisoner, who
      put in this plea following in writing.
       And the said James Neale Junr in his proper person cometh and
      saith that the said Lord Proprietary will not nor ought him the said
      James by Reason of the said Indictmt greive and impeach because
      by protestation he saith that the Indictmt is not sufficient in Law to
      put him to answere thereunto. Notwthstanding for plea he saith
      that whatsoever is Contrary to the Act of Assembly aforesayd he
      saith he is in no wise guilty in manner and forme as by the Indictmt
      aforesayd above is supposed, and of this he puts himself upon the
      Country and Vincent Lowe Esq Attorney Generall, who for his
      Lopp the Lord Proprietary in this behalfe followeth for the said
      Lord Proprietary likewise, and the Sheriff of St Maryes County
      having as he was Comanded retorned a petty Jury for the Tryall
      of prisoners who being called appeared to wit Wm Harris Richard
      Atwood Thomas Doxey Nicholas Guither Richard Bayly Henry
      Bedford Wm King Guy White ffrancis Gunbee Richard Ackworth
      John Sythons Henry Smith and Richard Smith who being Elected
      tryed & sworne to try the truth in the premises upon their oathes
      doe say, that the said James Neale is guilty of hoggstealing whereof
      he hath beene Indicted and so they say all. whereupon the Court
      Gave Judgemt agt him according to the act of Assembly in that case
      provided for the first offence.
       To his Excellency Charles Calvert Esq Capt Generall and Cheif
      Governor of Maryland.

       The humble peticion of James Neale Junr.
      Most humbly sheweth
       Unto yor Excellency that yor poore petr being a distressed object
      under the Just sentence of the Law procured by the unadvised
      Rashnes of his inconsiderate youth whereby he is now become
      uncapable of any thing but shame and Ignominy unlesse your gra
      cious goodnes and Redundant Mercy wherewith yor Excellency hath
      Ever beene adorned, and of which all who have stood in need have
      plentifully obteined upon their humble addresses. yor unworthy petr
      humbly beggs yor wonted Grace and mercy. to be Extended to him
      in yor Excellyes Gracious pardon to be freed from that Ignominious
      punishmt, which his Crimes have most Justly Deserved, and the
      unadvised Rashnes of his youth most Justly merited and pulled
      Downe upon himself. and in yor Excellyes Gracious freeing yor