TOWNSHEND v. DUNCAN.— 2 BLAND. 57

of the answer of a defendant might, as at present, be at once
brought before the Chancellor; but they were formerly most usually
as in England, referred to a master, or to a person specially author-
ized to act as such, (k) The depositions of witnesses might be

rewards as shall be by the Lieutenant-Governor of the said Province, for
the time being, thought just and reasonable.—To have and to hold the said
office of examiner and master during pleasure. Given at the City of Anna-
polis, this 8th day of October, in the 21st year of his Lordship's dominion,
&c. Anno Domini, 1734."

"11th October, 1734.—Sedente Curia.—Ordered, that the following oath be
taken by Benjamin Young, Esq. as master and examiner in this Court; and
that the said oath be entered among the records of this Court, as the oath of
office of master and examiner for the future.

"You shall swear, that well and truly you shall execute the office of
master in Chancery to which you are called; you shall also well and truly,
after your cunning and learning, execute the office of examiner in the Court
of Chancery whereunto you are admitted; and you shall duly, justly, and
equally examine the causes, that shall be committed unto you, without any
favor, or corruption of any person or persons to be had or done, otherwise
than of right shall appertain concerning the same: and you shall be attend-
ant to further the same causes, from time to time, as need shall require; and
you shall not publish, or shew the same depositions to any person before
publication in the Court, without the warrant of the same Court—so help
you God.''

"Fees settled and allowed by his excellency, Samuel Ogle, Esq. Chan-
cellor, to Benjamin Young, Esq. master and examiner in this Court, and to
all succeeding masters—for every oath to an affidavit, or probate of an
answer, one shilling—for every oath administered to any witness examined
by him, one shilling—for every examination of a witness, and report made
on any matter referred to him. and returned: for every side, computing
seven words in a line, and twelve lines in a side, one shilling and four
pence—for every day on which he shall be attended, and proceed in the
settling any matter of account referred to be taken by him, ten shillings.'"—
Chancery Proceedings, lib. J. R. No. 2, fol. 625, 633.

(k) MURDOCK v. HADDOCK—1713—Ordered, that replication or exceptions
be filed by next Court.—1714—Exceptions to the answer referred, to be
argued before Col. Young to make his report —16th December, 1714—
Ordered, that Mr, James Haddock's answer to the interrogatories to him put
concerning Thomas Coutts, Patrick Andrews, and others, be referred to Col.
Samuel Young, master in Chancery, for hearing.

HART, C., October, 1716.—Upon reading the answer and exceptions taken
thereto; and upon hearing this cause, Ordered, that the first and second
articles relating to that part of the answer be amended: and the third ex-
ception agreed, and the answer to be amended in that particular. And
Ordered, that the defendant pay to the plaintiffs six hundred pounds of to-
bacco, being the costs for the delay, awarded them."—Chancery Proceedings,
lib. P. L. fol. 13, 70, 86, 318.

"Present, his Excellency, the keeper of the great seal of Maryland.
"BY THE COURT OF CHANCERY. — 14th July, 1716.—Upon the motion of Samuel
Young. Esq. one of the assistants in this Court, that many references are