The Testimonies for Henry Harford - Page 34 - Transcript
M.r Smith cannot speak to the Amount of the
Quit Rents of his own knowledge but they were generally
esteemed to Amount to between 7 & 8,000 Sterling P.r
Annum.
Says the Manor rents arose from the Lords
Manors which were rented out by him generally as Matter
of favor and the rents very low.
He cannot say how the Duty on Tobacco was
Originally imposed as it was before his Time that it was
established He believes it might be in Order to support the
Civil Government.
He is likewise ignorant how the Duty on Tonage of
Shipping was originally established.
Says he cannot specify the Number or Extent of the
several Manors or reserved Lands belonging to the Proprietor
There was a general Map of the whole in the Revenue Office
which with all the Papers belonging to the Office were seized by
the new Governor on the Revolution in the Gov.t of the Country.
M.r Smith says he knows many of M.r Harfords
Lands were sold in 1784 & 1785 after his arrival in the
Country _ He says he believes much of it was sold considerably
under its Value as the Agent had a power of selling by private
as well as public sale _ and he knows that he let his own
Relations have a great deal at low prices insomuch that
Complaint was made thereof to the Assembly. He believes
the Sales in general were favorable to the Buyers _ The Lands
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[Transcribed by Michael Mastrianni]
