habitants of this province as are from sixteen to fifty years of age, to form themselves into companies of sixty-eight men; to choose a captain, two lieutenants, an ensign, four sergeants, four corporals and one drummer, for each company; and use their utmost endeavors to make themselves masters of the military exercise: That each man be provided with a good firelock and bayonet fixed thereon, half a pound of powder, two pounds of lead, and a cartouch-box, or powder-horn, and a bag for ball, and be in readiness to act on any emergency. Resolved unanimously, That it is recommended to the committees of each county to raise by subscription, or in such other voluntary manner as they may think proper, and will be most agreeable to their respective counties, such sums of money as, with any monies already raised, will amount to the following sums in the respective counties, to wit: In St. Mary's county, £600 In Worcester, 533 And that the committees of the respective counties lay out the same in the purchase of arms and ammunition for the use of such county, to be secured and kept in proper and convenient places, under the direction of the said committees. Resolved unanimously, That it will be necessary that a provincial meeting of deputies, chosen by the several counties of this province, should be held in the city of Annapolis, on Monday the 24th day of April next, unless American grievances be redressed before that time; and therefore we recommend that the several counties of this province choose deputies, as soon as conveniently may be, to attend such meeting: And the committee of correspondence for this province are empowered to call a meeting of the said deputies, before the said 24th day of April, if they shall esteem it ne cessary. Resolved unanimously, That contributions from the several counties of this province, for supplying the necessities and alleviating the distress of our brethren at Boston, ought to be continued in such manner and so long as their occasions may require; and that it is the duty of the committees of each county to collect and transmit the same as soon as possible. Resolved unanimously, That the honourable Matthew Tilghman and John Hall, Samuel Chase, Thomas Johnson, jun., Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Charles Carroll, barrister, and William Paca, Esquires, or any three or more of them, be a committee of correspondence for this province. Resolved unanimously, That the honourable Matthew Tilghman, and Thomas Johnson, jun., Robert Goldsborough, William Paca, Samuel Chase, John Hall and Thomas Stone, Esquires, or any three or more of them, be delegates to represent this province in the next continental congress, and that they, or any three or more of them, have full and ample power to consent and agree to all measures which such congress shall deem necessary and effectual to obtain a redress of American grievances; and this province bind themselves to execute, to the utmost of their power, all resolutions which the said congress may adopt: And further, if the said congress shall think necessary to adjourn, we do authorise our said delegates to represent and act for this province, in any one congress to be held by virtue of such adjournment. Resolved unanimously, That it is recommended to the several colonies and provinces, to enter into such or the like resolutions for mutual defence and protection, as are entered into by this province. As our opposition to the settled plan of the British administration to enslave America, will be strengthened by an union of all ranks of men in this province, we do most earnestly recommend, that all former differences about religion or politics, and all private animosities and quarrels of every kind, from henceforth cease and be forever buried in oblivion; and we intreat, we conjure every man, by his duty to God, his country, and his posterity, cordially to unite in defence of our common rights and liberties. Ordered, That copies of these resolutions be transmitted by the committee of correspondence for this province, to the committees of correspondence for the several colonies, and be also published in the Maryland Gazette. By order, JOHN DUCKETT, Clerk. At a meeting of the DEPUTIES appointed by the several counties of the province of MARYLAND, at the city of Annapolis, on Monday the 24th of April, 1775, and continued by adjournment from day to day, till the third of May, were present, ONE HUNDRED MEMBERS. The hon. MATTHEW TILGHMAN, Esq. in the Chair. Resolved unanimously, That his Majesty King George the third is lawful and rightful King of Great Britian, and that the dominions thereunto belonging, and that the good people of this province do owe, and will bear faith and true allegiance to our said lawful and rightful King, as the sovereign, constitutional guardian, and protector, of the rights of all his subjects. On motion, That a committee be appointed to prepare a draft of a letter to the committee of correspondence for Philadelphia, acquainting them that this convention had received from gentlemen of their committee, an Extract of a letter from New York, communicating the very interesting and important intelligence, that a number of troops were ordered for that city, which was to be the place of arms, and fortified; that all communication between that city and the southern and eastern provinces was to be cut off; that the people of that colony were concerting means to prevent such scheme, were embodying themselves, and desired the immediate assistance of the southward colonies, before the arrival of the troops; that this convention were greatly alarmed and deeply concerned for that colony, and therefore desired to be acquainted with the authenticity of that account, and the particulars thereof; and that the committee of Philadelphia would give this convention as full and particular accounts of the state of the colony of New York, and of their own province, as they possibly can; what conduct, it is expected, will be adopted by their colony, and of all other matters which they may think of consequence to the general welfare of America. The previous question was moved for and put, whether the above question be now put? And resolv❤ in the affirmative. The above question was then put, and resolved in the affirmative. The following letter was accordingly sent to the committee for the city and liberties of Philadelphia: Annapolis, Saturday, April 29, 1775, 5 o'clock, afternoon. GENTLEMEN, The extract of the letter from New-York, communicating the very interesting and important intelligence, "That a number of troops were ordered for that city, which was to be the place of arms, and fortified; that all communication between that city and that southern and eastern provinces was to be cut off; that the people of that colony were concerting means to prevent such schemes, were embodying themselves, and desired the immediate assistance of the southward colonies before the arrival of the troops," was this morning, about 10 o'clock, received, and immediately laid before the provincial convention now sitting: The convention are deeply concerned for New-York, and request to be acquainted with the authenticity of that account, and the particulars thereof, and that you will advise them what conduct it is expected will be held by New-York, your province, and the Jerseys, on the very interesting and trying occasion. By order of the convention, MAT. TILGHMAN, chairman of the convention. Resolved unanimously, That all exportations from this province to Quebec, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and Newfoundland, or any part of the fishing coasts, or fishing islands, and to the town of Boston, ought immediately to be suspended until the continental congress shall give further orders therein. Resolved, That it is earnestly recommended to the inhabitants of this province, to continue the regulation of the militia, as recommended by the last provincial convention, and that particular attention be paid to forming and exercising the militia throughout this province, and that the subscriptions for the purpose by the said convention recommended be forthwith completed and applied. Resolved, That it is the sense of this convention, that the honourable Matthew Tilghman, Esq., Thomas Johnson, jr., Robert Goldsborough, Samuel Chase, William Paca, John Hall, and Thomas Stone, Esquires, the delegates of our province, or any three or more of them, do join with the delegates of the other colonies and provinces, at such time and place as shall be agreed on, and in conjunction with them, deliberate upon the present distressed and alarming state of the British colonies in North America, and concur with them in such measures as shall be thought necessary for the defence and protection thereof, and most conducive to the public welfare. And as this convention has nothing so much at heart as a happy reconciliation of the differences between the mother country and the British colonies in North America, upon a firm basis of constitutional freedom; so has it a confidence in the wisdom and prudence of the said delegates, that they will not proceed to the last extremity, unless in their judgments they shall be convinced that such measure is indispensably necessary for the safety and preservation of our liberties and privileges. That in the present state of public affairs, this convention is sensible, that measures to be adopted by the continental congress, must depend much upon events which may happen to arise; and relying firmly upon the wisdom and integrity of their delegates, this province will, as far as is in their power, carry into execution such measures as shall be agreed on and recommended by the general congress. Resolved, That it be recommended, that the sum of £600 be raised in the different counties of this province by subscription, under the direction of the several committtees, in the following proportion: In St. Mary's county £36, Charles 48, Calvert 22, Prince George's 50, Anne Arundel 52, Frederick 80, Baltimore 56, Harford 28, Worcester 32, Somerset 32, Dorchester 29, Caroline 21, Talbot 24, Queen Anne's 32, Kent 34, Cecil 24. And that the several sums to be raised on the western shore be paid to Mr. Charles Wallace of the city of Annapolis, and the several sums to be raised on the eastern shore be paid to Mr. Thomas Ringgold of Chestertown, to defray the expenses of the delegates at the ensuing continental congress. Resolved, That it is recommended to all ranks and denominations of people, to use their utmost endeavors to preserve peace and good order throughout this province. This convention, deeply considering the distressed and perplexed situation of British America, the weakness of all human counsels, and that the hearts of all men are in the disposal of the Supreme Being, do recommend, that the eleventh day of this instant may be observed throughout this province, as a day of fasting and humiliation, and that the inhabitants of this province, on that day, in an especial manner, by prayer and supplications, humbly and devoutly implore the blessing, support and protection of Almighty God, for the preservation of the rights and liberties of America, and the restoration of peace, union and happiness to the British empire. This convention, taking into consideration, that the time proposed for the meeting of the next continental congress is near at hand, and that it is highly expedient, that the delegates of this province should attend the said congress as early in their session as may be, where the state of the city and colony of New York, as |