clear space clear space clear space white space
A
 r c h i v e s   o f   M a r y l a n d   O n l i n e

PLEASE NOTE: The searchable text below was computer generated and may contain typographical errors. Numerical typos are particularly troubling. Click “View pdf” to see the original document.

  Maryland State Archives | Index | Help | Search
search for:
clear space
white space

Volume 662, Page 31   View pdf image (33K)
 Jump to  
  << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
clear space clear space clear space white space

THE TWO SECRETARIES 31

Sir Thomas Trevor, His Majesty's Solicitor General, was confirmed
by order of the King in Council, February 13, 1695/6. The
Crown Secretary was to retain those land records he possessed
but was to give His Lordship's officers free access to them. These
in turn might prepare and pass land warrants, certificates, and
patents but were required to render half of all fees to the Secre-
tary. 4 This official had, consequently, during the royal period,
half those fees in territorial affairs which had earlier belonged to
his office.

On the restoration of Lord Baltimore's government in 1715 the
Secretary in Maryland resumed his former duties in land matters
together with the whole fees attached. We have seen that, in this
restored capacity, he now assumed, about June, 1717, the title of
Judge of the Land Office. But title and fees were taken from him
on the appointment of a separate Judge in December, 1738.

In 1676 Baltimore had established separate naval offices and
by a proclamation of June tenth had given Secretary William
Calvert, instead, all income from ordinary license fines. These
were tobacco fees paid by inn-holders for an annual license to
keep ordinary, and they were worth at that date perhaps £ 60 a
year. They remained to the Secretary in Maryland until October,
1703. Thereafter, when granted, they were a perquisite of the
Secretary in England. 5

By the same proclamation each attorney in the Provincial Court
was required to pay Calvert 1200 pounds of tobacco a year, or
about £ 5 sterling. This saddle on attorneys was continued to
Secretaries Sewall and Darnall, but it ended with the revolution
of 1689. 6

As chief public notary the Secretary derived some income from
the appointment of deputies in Annapolis and in the counties.
The terms of such appointment are uncertain, but they were
probably similar to those imposed on the county clerks. 7 Now
appointment of these clerks was the Secretary's chief supple-

4 Archives, XIX, 94; XX, 434, 530-31.

5 Ibid., XV, 79. Ordinary license fines had been issued by the Governor from
1654 or earlier, and the fines paid for them had been one of Baltimore's
perquisites (Ibid., Ill, 303; V, 123; XV, 22). On their value see the references
in note 38 below.

6 Ibid,, XV, 79; Provincial Court Judgments, liber l, folio 762 (Hall of Records),
7 The only surviving commissions to deputy notaries are those issued by Sir

Thomas Lawrence in 1698; they bind the deputy to render him a full half of

the profits (Archives, XXIII, 424-26).


 

clear space
clear space
white space

Please view image to verify text. To report an error, please contact us.

Volume 662, Page 31   View pdf image (33K)
 Jump to  
  << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.


Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!



An Archives of Maryland electronic publication.
For information contact mdlegal@mdarchives.state.md.us.

©Copyright  October 11, 2023
Maryland State Archives