veral committees in each county, and that they be earnestly requested to give every assistance in their power to the immediate enrolling of the militia companies, and enabling them to march.

Resolved, That the council of safety direct such and so many of the said militia companies to march to the city of Annapolis, Baltimore town, Talbot, Kent, Queen Anne's, and St. Mary's counties, as will supply the number and places of the said battalion and independent companies; and that till the places of the regular troops ordered from Annapolis and Baltimore town can be supplied by the militia to be raised as aforesaid, the council of safety direct three companies of the neighboring militia to march into Annapolis, and two companies of the neighboring militia to march into Baltimore town.

Resolved, That the continental officer who may command the flying camp, is requested, if the service will permit, to separate the corps of regulars from the corps of militia to be supplied by this province, to prevent any ground of discontent about rank.

Resolved, That this province will raise two companies of riflemen and four companies of Germans, according to the requisitions of congress in their resolutions of the 27th day of June last.

That one of the said companies of rifle-men be raised in Harford county, two of the said companies of Germans be raised in Baltimore county, and one of the companies of rifle-men and two of the companies of Germans be raised in Frederick county.

That to expedite the raising and levying the said troops, the committee of observation for Harford county recommend the officers of the company to be raised in that county, the committee of observation for Baltimore county, the officers of the companies to be raised in that county, and that two of the committee of observation from each of the districts of Frederick county, who are to meet at Frederick town on Friday the 12th day of this instant, July, or the major part of them so met, recommend the officers of the companies of Germans to be raised in that county, and also the officers of the rifle companies to be raised there, except the captain.

That Lemuel Barret be captain of the rifle company to be raised in Frederick county, if he will act as such.

That each of the companies of Germans consist of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer, and seventy-six privates; and each of the rifle companies of one captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer, and seventy-six privates; and that the officers being approved, be appointed and certified to the congress by the council of safety.

That each of the officers being nominated by the committees, have warrants for enlisting, and that each of the officers enlist the following numbers, to wit: a captain 30, first and second lieutenant 20, third lieutenant or ensign 16; and that by order of the council of safety, the said officers draw out of the public treasury monies sufficient to discharge the bounties.

The committee for that purpose appointed, bring in and deliver to Mr. President the following report:

'Your committee appointed to examine and price the linen brought in by Edward Parker, do report, that he has brought in 611 yards valued at 3s. 6d. per yard, and four hundred and twentyseven and a quarter yards at 2s. 3d. per yard, common currency. All which is submitted to the consideration of the honorable house. "THOMAS CONTEE, chairman com."

Which was read and agreed to.

Whereas, this convention hath resolved, "that the several companies of militia intended to be raised for the purpose of forming a flying camp for the protection of the middle colonies, shall be mustered and passed by some one of the field-officers of the counties where such companies shall be raised, and the captains shall return two copies of his muster roll certified by the field officer who musters the men, to the council of safety." And whereas, no fieldofficers are appointed in Kent county, it is therefore Resolved, that the committee of observation for Kent county are hereby authorised to appoint a militia commissioned officer in said county, who is empowered to muster and pass such companies in as full and ample manner as if the same was done by a field-officer.

On motion, Resolved, That the commissioners appointed by a resolve of the convention of this province in December last, for the purpose of establishing a gun-lock manufactory in Frederick. town in Frederick county, or in the neighborhood thereof, for which purpose twelve hundred pounds was appropriated, do lay before the next convention, on the third day of their sitting, a full and clear account of their proceedings in the premises, together with the state of said manufactory.

On reading and considering the report from the committee appointed to report on the petition of John Brewer of the city of Annapolis, Resolved, That the fine imposed on the said John Brewer by the committee of observation for Anne Arundel county be remitted, and his fire arms returned to him.

On motion, Resolved, That all petitions, applications and reports to convention this present session, and all petitions, applications and reports, to convention in all its former sessions, whereon no

final order hath been or shall be made, be referred to the next session of convention.

On motion, Resoled, That a bounty of one shilling common money be paid by the council of safety for every bushel of salt imported into this colony, and delivered above Point Look out, before the first day of March next, and that the importer be allowed to sell the same at any price not exceeding seven shilling and six pence common money per bushel.

On motion, Resolved, That the council of safety advertise the proposals given in to this convention by Mr. Charles Wallace, and request any person who will contract for a large quantity of salt, to deliver in their proposals by the 20th day of July next, and the council of safety are empowered to enter into a contract agreeable to any such proposals that may be given in, if they adjudge such proposals more for the advantage of the public, but if no better terms should be offered by the said day, then the council of safety are empowered to close with the said proposals of Charles Wallace.

Ordered, That the declaration of this convention of this day, and the resolution in answer to the resolutions of the Virginia convention, be published in the Maryland Gazette.

The journal of accounts was read and assented to.

Ordered, That the treasurer of the western shore pay the several claims allowed in the same.

The convention adjourns till Thursday the first day of August next, to sit at this place, but the council of safety may convene the convention at any other time or place they shall judge it necessary.

Signed by order of the convention,

GABRIEL DUVALL, clerk.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION

OF THE

PROVINCE OF MARYLAND,

HELD AT

The City of Annapolis, on Wednesday, the fourteenth of August, 1776.