92 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS, NOVEMBER SESSION, 1808.

(No. 4.)
Gentlemen,

IT would be with shams and extreme regret that I should supplicate your Honours again, did not my
necessity justify me; but I have one comfort, which is that I am not asking a favour, but asking for my. own
money; money that you unjustly detain; money, that I boldly say, I have honestly and fairly laboured for; mo-
ney that I chink the major part of your Honours are now convinced I am entitled to, notwithstanding your Scotch
information. Excuse me, Gentlemen, if you pleas:, while I ask a plain question or two.... I don't wish to lose the
good will of you all.... but 'tis strange that America did not afford virtue nor wisdom enough, but that you must
take a man all the way from Scotland, and I'll vouch for his being as good a subject as King George has, and that
man, much interested in my ruin too, to pass sentence on my account.... a man, from the very principles of the go-
vernment, if he is not sworn to support, is attached to, must despise me, and for two reasons.... the first, that I
am a Democrat, the second, that I am much poorer than him, and unfortunately related to his family. Now I do
nor think you do me justice; you likewise take an advantage that an individual can't take, which I think is dis-
graceful to the enlightened Executive of Maryland, and any thing that has the shadow of equality about it. I
have never heard of its being a sound principle in the most despotic government, much less in a republican
one, to take a man's property without giving him some reason lor it. I have heard of an individual robbing a
state, but never heard of a state robbing an individual; therefore Gentlemen if you are determined not to do me
justice, be so good as to tell me so. I hope you will not do any thing that you will have cause to be ashamed off
and if I am not to be paid, do it openly and above board, and let the world know your actions and the cause. I
have little more to say; the Executive of Maryland perhaps does not often receive petitions in as plain language
as this, they will just remember that a free man wrote it, who knows no difference in men or offices, only as far as
his weak judgment directs him, to their honour and honesty; he has never taken advantage, in any way, of any
man, and feels it much when an attempt is made on him. He can't humble himself where he has not done wrong.
He asks for his own in plain language, without meaning to give offence to any who does by him as he ought to be
done by.

Your's, &c. WM. TUCK.
Annapolis, March 4th, 1808.
The Hon'ble The Governor and Council.

N. B. This is the last time I shall trouble your Honours for my own right. W. T—k.
(A true Copy from the Original. S. Lowdermilk, clk.)

(No. 5.)

Dear Sir, Council Chamber, Annapolis, March 9th, 1808.
WHEN in Annapolis you mentioned a Mr. Crook to Mr. Hall of the Council, as a proper person to value the
work done by Mr. Tuck in the chamber of the house of delegates. The Executive will thank you to use your in-
fluence to induce Mr. Crook to repair to Annapolis, as soon as convenient, for the purpose of valuing the said
work, and to inform him that his expenses will be paid, and a reasonable allowance made him for his trouble.

I have the honour, &c. NINIAN PINKNEY, Clerk of the Council.
To the Hon'ble Thomas M'Elderry.
(A true Copy. S. Lowdermilk, clk.)

Dear Sir, Baltimore, March 19th, 1808.
AGREEABLY to your request I applied to Mr. Walter Crook to value the work done in the chamber of the
house of delegates.... He will wait on you for that purpose immediately. You will find him well qualified. Your
attention to Mr. Crook will oblige, Dr. Sir, your very humble servt.

THOMAS M'ELDERRY,

Ninian Pinkney, Esq Clerk of the Council, Annapolis.
(A true Copy. S. Lowdermilk, clk.)

(No. 6.)
Ninian Pinkney, Esq. Baltimore, 2d April, 1808.

Dear Sir,

I HAVE enclosed you a statement and valuation of sundry work done in the room of the house of delegates
of the state of Maryland by Mr. William Tuck, cabinet-maker. I being appointed by the honourable the governor
and council for the state of Maryland, to examine and value said work, which I have done, to the best of my
judgment, together with a Mr. William Camp on the part of Mr. William Tuck; you will readily see on the
statement, the amount of the carpenter's work, &c. for raising the floor; Mr. William Tuck got a carpenter
in Annapolis to measure and value the work, and he sent on his bill to us. I am in hopes the attention that I have
paid to this business will give general satisfaction.

I subscribe myself Your most ob't. Servt. WALTER CROOK.
N. B. Mr. Robert Welch, of Benj, of Annapolis, is authorised to receive the money for my services.

Your's, &c. W. G.
(A true Copy. S. Lowdermilk, clk.)