Maryland 



exports amounted to 50,000. Their manufactures 

 are very trifling. The government is a proprietary 

 one; and consists of the proprietor (viz. Lord Balti- 

 more); his governor, the council, composed of 

 twelve persons nominated by himself; and a house 

 of representatives, elected by the people; four for 

 each county, and two for Annapolis. The power 

 of the proprietor is next to regal; of the other parts 

 of the legislature, much the same as in Virginia. 

 The lower house has been at variance some years 

 with the council and governor, concerning ways and 

 means; chiefly in regard to taxing the merchants' 

 book-debts: which has been the reason of their hav- 

 ing done nothing for the defence of the colonies 

 during the war. The house has constantly voted 

 troops, but as constantly laid the same tax for the 

 maintenance of them: the council therefore has 

 always rejected the bill; alleging the inconvenience 

 of such a tax, as it would necessarily be a restraint 

 upon trade; and ruin many of the merchants' credit. 

 The proprietor has a negative* upon every bill, 

 exclusive of his governor. 



There are several courts of judicature in this 

 province; but the principal are either those which 

 are held quarterly in each county by the justices 

 thereof, like those in Virginia; or the provincial 

 ones, which are held twice annually at Annapolis 

 * This power is doubted, though it has never yet been contested. 



