"14 Nov. 1788—12 Nov. 1791" 203

In Council June 10th. 1791

Whereas it has been represented by several of the inhabitants of Dorchester County that
a certain Eli Smoot, on or about the thirteenth of April last was murdered by a certain
Negro Will the Slave of John Smoot of the said County, which Negro immediately [p.
311] after committing the said Murder fled to escape the Justice of the Laws, and was
soon after apprehended and confined in Prison in the City of Philadelphia from whence he
was taken by sundry Citizens of this State employed by the said John Smoot but escaped
from their Custody on the Journey Homeward and fled towards the State of New Jersey;
And Whereas it is further represented that the said John Smoot considering the anxiety and
expenditures of Money which have been already sustained by him, is unwilling and unable to
bear any more of these inconveniences on the present occasion, but reflecting that the Interests
of Society are deeply concerned in a transaction so iniquitous, has been persuaded to hope
that the Executive would take proper measures to cause the apprehending the said Offender.

Resolved that One hundred dollars shall be paid for apprehending the said Negro Will
and delivering him to the Custody of the Sheriff of any County within this State.

Ordered that the Clerk take measures for the due publication of the foregoing resolution
in the public papers of the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Council adjourned 'till tomorrow morning.

Saturday nth. June 1791

The Council met.

Present as on yesterday.

The Council adjourned 'till Monday Morning.

Monday 13th. June 1791.

The Council met.

Pres't. the Hon'ble. Henry Ridgely

John Davidson

John Kilty Esquires

Joseph Barret formerly a subject of the King of France, and Max Heuisley formerly
a subject of the Elector of Bavaria appeared before the Board and voluntarily made repeated
and subscribed a Declaration of their Belief in the Christian Relegion and also took [p.
312] repeated and subscribed the Oath prescribed by the "Act for Naturalization" where-
fore they are now become Subjects of this State.

The Council adjourned 'till tomorrow morning.

Wednesday 15th. June 1791

The Council met.

Pres't. His Excellency John Eager Howard Esquire

The Hon'ble. Henry Ridgely

John Davidson

Randolph B. Latimer Esquires

The Council adjourned till tomorrow morning.