In 1814, John Mercer became guardian of Henry and Nicholas Darnall, minor heirs of slave owner Bennett [Bennitt] Darnall. In 1815, Mercer went to Europe for several years, and appointed George H. Stewart--a relative and security for his guardianship bonds--to act for him. In a letter to the court, Mercer states "upon learning the nature of public comment upon the subject, I have no longer room to doubt of the urgent necessity which presses you ... & myself ... to unite in changing the Guardian." Mercer says that "the real and imputed magnitude of their [the boys'] fortune, the peculiar circumstances of their unhappy birth & colour" inspire charges that he is profiting from the trust estate, adding that Stewart "will present you with this and more fully & impressively explain the subject." In his petition, Stewart says that he fears himself "in danger of suffering from said securetyship" on the guardian bonds because Mercer has left the country. Stewart asks the court to require Mercer to appear and pay a counter-security or to revoke Mercer's guardianship and appoint a new guardian.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland
