Journal of the State Council, 1784-1789. 153
In Council December 9th. 1786

By the Petition of Harman Stitcher of Baltimore Town in Balti-
more County, it is set forth that some time in September 1784, he
rented his House to a certain John Bichum, and had previously taken
out a licence at the preceding August Court for the then ensuing year,
under which the said John Bichum kept a Tavern or House of Enter-
tainment until August Court following 1785, at which Court the said
Bichum again took a licence for the next year, that in September fol-
lowing Bichum removed, and the Petitioner Harman Stitcher re-
turned to his House, and kept a House of public Entertainment,
under the Licence which Bichum had taken out, not doubting but
that he had a legal right so to do, in consequence of which he was
presented in Baltimore County Court for keeping a House of Enter-
tainment without licence, and it appears by the Certificate of the
Clerk of Baltimore County Court that he was fined in two several
Presentments, six hundred pounds of Tobacco and Thirty shillings
Current Money each. And it also appearing by the Certificate of
four of the Justices of the said County, that the facts as stated in
his Petition, are true and recommending the said Petitioner as
deserving a Remission of the Fines referred to, The Board upon con-
sidering the same, do order and direct that the Fines aforesaid be
and they are hereby remitted.

James Brice
James Hindman
John Kilty
John Davidson

In Council 9th. December 1786

Whereas it appears from the Certificate of William Ritchie Clerk
of Frederick County Court, That at Frederick County March Court
1786 a certain William Compton was presented for selling spiritous
Liquors by small Measure and on his submission and Confession at
the November Court following was fined by the Justices thereof the
Quantity of six hundred pounds of Tobacco besides Costs according
to Act of Assembly, And Whereas the said William Compton by his
Petition sets forth that he is burthen'd with a Family which he
[p 187] has no other mode of supporting but by his own Labour
which he is very unequal to, being sixty years of Age, That he was
advised by some of his Neighbours, who view'd his situation with
Compassion, that he might better his Circumstances by retailing
Spiritous Liquors, in consequence of which advice he did procure
some, but that he was immediately advertised of his Conduct being
contrary to Law, when he desisted and has never since offended, That
the Payment of the Fine will prove ruinous to him and his Family,
which induces him to pray for a Remission of the same: And it being