270 PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY

Nicholas Sporne plantiffe: Thomas Orton Defendant

The plantiffe by John Meriton his Attorney brough[t] the writ of our Sover-
eigne Lord the King against the Defendant in a plea of trespass upon the Case
for Damages two thowsand five hundred pounds of tobaccoe as by Decleration
filed Appeareth but Refuseth the procecuting of the Said writt and Decleration
any further etc. Therefore hee and his pledges of procecuting be in mercy etc. Lett
the names of the Pledges be Sought etc. And the Said Thomas Orton goe thereof
without day etc.

It is Likewise Considered that the Said Thomas Orton Recover against the Said
Nicholas Sporne his Dammages by Occation of the premises to three hundred
ninty and Seaven pounds of tobaccoe to the Said Thomas Orton by the discretion
of the Justices here at his Request for his Costs and Charges in this behalfe
Sustained According to the forme of the Statute etc. by the Court here Adjudged
etc.

John Meriton plantiffe: William Groome Defendant

Prince Georges County Ss. William Groome late of Prince Georges County
Inholders was Attached to Answer unto John Meriton of a plea of trespass upon
the Case etc.

And whereupon the Said John Meriton in his proper person Complaineth that
whereas the Said William Groome Stands truly Indebted unto the Said John by
one Note or writeing under his hand beareing date the 18th day of July 1696
for the Sume of one pounds and five Shillings Sterling Inconsideration whereof
the Said William [248] Did Assume upon himselfe and to the Said John Did
faithfully promise that he the Said William the Said Sume of one pounds five
Shillings Sterling when he Should be thereunto Required to the Said John would
well and truly Content Sattisfie and pay And the Said John in fact Saith that
trusting to the faithfull promise and Assumption of him the Said William he the
Said John did Creditt him the Said William with the aforesaid Sume of one
pounds and five Shillings Sterling as by his Note doth Appeare Yett Notwith-
standing the Said William his promise and Assumption Soe as aforesaid made in
no wise Regarding but minding and Fraudulently Intending him the Said John
in that behalfe Craftily and Subtilly to deceive and Defraud the Said Sume of one
pounds five Shillings Sterling to the Said John Although often thereunto Re-
quired hath not paid nor any waies Contented but the Same to pay hath Alto-
gether denyed and Refused and Still doth denye and Refuse whereupon the Said
John Saith he is Damnified and hath Loss to the vallue of two pounds tenn
Shillings Sterling and thereupon hee brings his Suite.

Pledges etc. John Doe, Richard Roe. John Meriton.

And the Said William Groome by William Stone his Attorney Cometh and
defendeth the force and Injury when etc. and prayeth Leave to Imparle here
untill the next Court and it is granted unto him the Same day is given to the
plantiffe Likewise.

And now here at this Day (to witt) the 28th day of September Annoque
Domini 1697: here Came as well the Said John Meriton in his proper person as
the Said William Groome by his Attorney Afforesaid And the Said John Meriton
prayeth that the Said William Groome to his Decleration aforesaid may Answer
etc. And the Said William Groome by William Stone his Attorney Cometh and
defendeth the force and Injury when etc. And Saith that the Said Sume of one
pound five Shillings Sterling in the Decleration aforesaid mentioned was not
Demanded of the Said William Groome before the Action brought According to