Appendix. 677

[Comm. for Forfeited Estates, Annapolis to David McMechen]

The Board are informed that there is in the Possession of M^r Tho^s
Franklin of Baltimore County a Library late the property of Rob^t
Alexander we request the favor of you to apply to M^r F. for and
take possession of same returning to this Board an Inventory thereof.

[1781]

[Commissioners for Forfeited Estates to Thos. Williams Esq.
Sheriff of P. G. County]

We are informed that you have proceeded to make Sale of some
negroes late the property of the Rev^d M^r Boucher, we apprehend that
you are wrong in this procedure, in as much as the General Assembly
had antecedent to the sale confiscated and appropriated them to the
use of the State and directed us as Commissioners in what manner
to dispose of them. The laws also direct that no taxes shall be levied
on public property, We are of opinion that if you attempt to receive
the money, or to give any title for those negroes you will do it in
your own wrong For as the laws declare us to be in possession of
those negroes we shall certainly insist on the disposal of them
We are &^c

[1781]

[Office for the preservation and Sale of Forfeited Estates to
Maj. To. Bruff.]

We request the favour of you to sell the negroes late the property
of S^r Robert Eden left in your care by us, the Law directs that they
shall be set up at and not sold under their last valuation by Assessment.

Inclosed you have an Advertisement of the terms, you'll be pleas'd
to affix a date allowing two or three weeks notice and distribute
several Copys into the most Public places in Talbot and the two
neighbouring Counties, you will be pleasd to transmit to us by the
first safe opportunity the sums paid down and also the Bonds drawing
from the whole one p C^t for your trouble, which we think too little,
tho' we are not authorized to give more.
We are directed by Law not to separate Husbands from their
wives nor parents from their children in the Sale of British Property,
which you will please to observe

P. S. The Exchange between Gold & silver & paper Currency is
at this time & place 6 1/2 p c^t

[1781]