That the said commissioners be allowed each twelve pounds ten shillings common money per week from the time they leave home until their return.

The convention then proceeded to elect the commissioners aforesaid, and James Lloyd Chamberlaine, Benjamin Rumsey, Thomas Contee, and John Hanson, jr., esqrs., were elected.

Ordered, That the president prepare a letter to the president of congress, and transmit a copy of the above resolutions therein.

The order of the day for taking into consideration the letter from the president of congress, of the second instant, was read and referred till to-morrow.

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

THURSDAY, October 10, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday. The proceedings of yesterday, were read.

On motion of Mr. J. Mackall, the question was put on the following, "As the people have a right and ought to know the conduct and behavior of their representatives, Resolved, That on all questions to be determined in this convention by a committee of the whole house, the yeas and nays shall be taken when called for by any member of the house and seconded, any custom or usage of parliament, assemblies, or former conventions to the contrary notwithstanding," and carried in the negative.

T. Wright,

Agreeable to the order of the day the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the declaration and charter of rights, and form of government for this state; Mr. Worthington in the chair. After some time spent therein Mt. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Worthington reported, that the committee had, according to order, taken into their consideration the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state, but not being able to go through the same, had directed him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this convention will in the afternoon resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the same. Adjourned till 3 o'clock.

POST MERIDIEM.

Convention met. Mr. Jordan appeared in the house.

According to order the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state; Mr. Worthington in the chair. After some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Worthington reported, that the committee had, according to order, taken into their consideration the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state, but not having had time to go through the same, had directed him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this convention will to-morrow morning resolve itself ito a committee of the whole, to consider further of the same. Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.

FRIDAY, October 11, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday. The proceedings of yesterday were read.

A petition from sundry inhabitants, on behalf of themselves and other freeholders and inhabitants of that part of Prince George's county which lies to the westward of the eastern branch of Potowmac river, praying that that part of Prince George's county which lies to the westward of the eastern branch of Potowmac river afore

said, may be annexed to the lower district of Frederick, now Montgomery county, and to have their court house and other public buildings erected in Georgetown, was read and ordered to lie on the table.

On motion of Mr. Paca, Resolved, That the several vessels lately drifted on the shores of this state from lord Dunmore's fleet, or otherwise made capture of, be raised up, appraised, and fitted out for the use of this state, or exposed to sale, at the discretion of the council of safety; the cargoes of the said vessels to be also exposed to sale, and the monies arising from the sale of the said vessels and cargoes, be paid into the hands of the treasurer of the western shore, subject to the disposal of this or a future legislature.

Agreeable to the order of the day the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state; Mr. Worthington in the chair. After some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Worthington reported, that the committee had, according to order, taken into their consideration the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state, but not having had time to go through the same, had directed him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this convention will in the afternoon resolve itself into a committe of the whole, to consider further of the same. Adjourned till 3 o'clock.

Convention met.

POST MERIDIEM.

The order of the day that the convention will resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the declaration of rights, and form of government of this state, being read, Resolved, That this convention will on to-morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the same.

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

SATURDAY October 12, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday. The proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Edmondson, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. T. Smyth, Mr. T. Ringgold, Mr. Paca and Mr. W. Ringgold, have leave of absence for a few days.

The convention appointed Edward Cockey colonel, Joshua Stevenson lieutenant-colonel, Micajah Merryman first major, Stephen Cromwell Second major, and John Robert Hollyday quartermaster, of the Gunpowder upper battalion of militia in Baltimore county.

Mr. Ridgely and Mr. Hughs have leave of absence for a few days. On motion of Mr. J. Hall, Resolved, That the several companies of the flying camp that have been raised under the resolve of convention for raising two additional battalions, be distributed into the four battalions for the flying camp heretofore raised in such manner as the commissioners appointed to repair to camp and attend the new enlistment may think proper.

On reading a letter from the reverend John Scott, to the president, Resolved, That on the said reverend John Scott's giving bond, with two or more good and sufficient securities, in the penalty of one thousand pounds sterling, payable to the president of the council of safety for the time being, condition that he will not go on the eastern shore in Maryland or Virginia, and that he will not correspond unpon public matters with any person whatsoever, the said John Scott be permitted to reside in any part of the western shore of Virginia, or in Frederick county in this state, and that on his giving such bond and the same being approved by this convention or the council of safety, his bond dated the twenty-ninth day of August last shall be void, as to any matter or thing thereafter to be done by the said John Scott; and that for the purpose of giving such new bond, the said John Scott be permitted to come to Annapolis.

Mr. Bowie has leave of absence till Tuesday next.
Adjourned till 3 o'clock.

Convention met.

POST MERIDIEM.

Mr. Sheredine brings in and delivers to Mr. President a report from the committee appointed to enquire into the truth of the facts set forth in the petition of the present and late sheriffs of Frederick county, which was read and concurred with, and thereupon Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of Frederick county to pay their public levies without delay.

The order of the day for taking into consideration the declaration of rights and form of government for this state being read, Resolved, That this convention will on Monday next resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider of the same. Convention adjourns till Monday morning, 9 o'clock.

MONDAY, October 2, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on Saturday, except Mr. Bowie, Mr. Paca, Mr. Wootton, Mr. Ridgely, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. T. Ringgold, Mr. W. Ringgold, Mr. T. Smyth, Mr. Edmondson, and Mr. Chamberlaine. The proceedings of Saturday were read.

On motion of Mr. Parnham, Resolved, That this convention will enter on no new business (except from evident necessity) untill they have finished the consideration of the declaration of rights and form of government.

On motion of Mr. Parnham the question was put, That for the expediting the bills of rights and form of government the house shal sit, while that business is transacting, every evening, till 8 o'clock? Resolved in the affirmative.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to consider of the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state; Mr. T. Wright in the chair. After some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. T. Wright reported that the committee had, according to order taken into their consideration the declaration of rights and form of government for this state, and had come to several resolutions thereon, but not having had time to come to a conclusion, had directed him to move for leave to sit again,

Resolved, That this convention will to-morrow morning resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider further of the same. Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.

TUESDAY, October 15, 1779.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday. The proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Paca, Mr. Shepherd, and Mr. W. Ringgold, appeared in the house.