On motion of Mr. H. Wilson, That the deputies from this state to the continental congress be each allowed the sum of ten pounds common money, and no more, per week, during their attendance in congress? An amendment was proposed to insert twelve pounds ten shillings instead of ten pounds, on which amendment the question was put, and resolved in the affirmative.

The question was then put, That the deputies from this state to the continental congress be each allowed the sum of twelve pounds ten shillings common money per week, and no more, from the time they leave home until their return? and resolved in the affirmative.

On motion of Mr. T. Ringgold, the question was put, That the members of the present and future conventions of this state be allowed ten shillings per day for their attendance, besides the usual itinerant charges, any resolve of a former convention to the contrary notwithstanding.

Mr. Hooe,

Bowie,

AFFIRMATIVE.
Mr. Bayly,
Williams,

Mr. Love,
Archer,

The order of the day, that the convention will resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the declaration and charter of rights, and form of government for this state, being read, the same was referred till to-morrow.

Mr. T. Ringgold brings in and delivers to Mr. President a report from the committee appointed to prepare a scheme for the emission of bills of credit for the defence of this state, and such other purposes as shall be directed by the convention or legislature of this state; and Mr. S. Chase brings and delivers to Mr. President a report from the committee to whom were referred the letter and resolutions of congress of the 16th, 18th, and 19th of September last; which were read and ordered to lie on the table. Adjourned till 3 o'clock.

POST MERIDIEM.

Convention met. Mr. Hughs appeared in the house.

On motion of Mr. Bond, That a committee of observation and licensing suits for Harford county be chosen as directed by a resolve of convention in July, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and that Messrs. Amos Garret, Thomas Johnson, and Thomas Bond, jun., or any two of them, be judges of the said election, and that the said election be held at the court house of the

said county, on the twenty sixth day of this instant; the said committees to continue until the first day of December next, or until superseded by future regulations of this state? The previous question was called for and put, whether the above question be now put? Carried in the negative.

Fischer,

D. Smith,

Gust. Scott,

T. Ringgold,

Lowes,

W. Ringgold,

Bishop,

T. Smyth,

Mitchell,

Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, October 9, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday. The proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Marbury appeared in the house.

On motion of Mr. Wootton, Resolved, That the commissioners for Montgomery county have the line which divides Frederick and Montgomery counties laid off and marked by the surveyor of Frederick county, at least ten days before the election for fixing on the place for building a court house and prison for said county, and that the qualification of voters for the purpose of fixing on the

most convenient place for a court house and prison in the said county, be the same as of voters for representatives in this convention.

Mr. Murray appeared in the house.

Ordered, That no person who has refused or neglected to subscribe the association (unless from religious principles) be permitted to come within the doors of this house during the sitting of the convention.

The convention took into consideration the report from the committee appointed to consider of the letter and resolutions of congress of the sixteenth, eighteenth and nineteenth of September last, and thereupon came to the following resolutions.

Resolved, That the eight battalions required by congress to be raised by this state, exceeds its just quota, being as they presume, founded on a calculation of white and black inhabitants of both sexes and of all ages, whereas the quotas of men to be raised by the several states, ought to be in proportion to the number of white inhabitants only in each state respectively.

That this state ought not to comply with the proposed terms of granting lands to the officers and soldiers, because there are no lands belonging solely and exclusively to this state; the purchase of lands might eventually involve this state in an expense exceeding its abilities, and an engagement by this state to defray the expense of purchasing land, according to its number of souls, would be unequal and unjust.

That this state desirous of exerting the most strenuous efforts to support the liberties and independence of the United States, will therefore use its utmost endeavours to raise the eight battalions required (including the troops already raised and in the service of the United States) as soon as possible.

That for this purpose this state will give a bounty of ten dollars to each non-commissioned officer and soldier who will enlist in the service of the United States for the war, in lieu of the hundred acres of land offered to them by congress.

That four commissioners be appointed to repair to the camps in the Jerseys and New York, and there obtain a list of such of the officers in the regular troops and flying camp from this state, now in the service of the United States, as are willing to engage in the service during the war; and also to enlist or cause to be enlisted all or every of the said regular troops or flying camp militia in the service of the United States during the war, continuing the regular battalion and forming the independent companies into a battalion, and filling both up according to the continental establishment; and

said into battalions; and the said commissioners, or any three of them, may also fill up such of the blank commissions sent to this convention by congress, as may be immediately necessary for the officering of the said corps; but in filling up the said commissions they are required not to introduce into the corps of the now regulars, any officer other than such as are of those regulars, nor into the corps which may be formed of the flying camp militia, any officer not now an officer in the said regulars or flying camp; and the commissioners are also required to leave some of the offices vacant, that cadets of merit may be provided for; which list of the officers so to be obtained, as well as a list of the appointments which shall be made as aforesaid, the said commissioners shall return to this convention, or in their recess to the council of safety. That the commissioners exert their utmost endeavors to procure the enlistment of the regular troops and militia from this state in the continental service, and make report of the state and condition of the forces from this state now in camp.

That the commissioners be furnished with money sufficient to advance the bounty of ten dollars as aforesaid.

That the council of safety, in the recess of convention, be empowered to issue warrants for the enlistment of such number of non-commissioned officers and privates, and also to appoint and commission such field and commission officers as may be necessary to make up the said eight battalions.

That the said cómmissioners, or any three or two of them, are empowered to receive of congress any sum not exceeding thirty-six thousand one hundred and twenty pounds, in dollars, at seven shillings and six pence per dollar, on account of this state, to be applied in the said bounties.

That the commissioners be instructed to consult with, and take advice from, his excellency general Washington, respecting the promotion or appointment of officers in colonel Smallwood's regiment, and the appointments to be made in the battalion to be formed of the independent companies and flying camp of this state.

That the officers to whom warrants issued for the enrollment of non-commissioned officers and privates for the two last battalions directed by the convention to be raised for the flying camp, immediately return lists of the men by them enrolled in pursuance of those warrants, to the council of safety, and forbear any further enrollment; that such of the companies as are full or nearly full be equipped and marched as soon as may be, and such of the companies as are not nearly full be discharged; and that the bounty money not expended be returned.