if war a considerable public resentment against the titular Maryland Executive; but General Johnson and his associates, knowing the kind of man Sir Robert Eden was, discredited the charges which the intercepted letters from England seemed to impute. Brig.-Gen. Johnson was imbued, as he had been during the debate over Governor Dunmore, with the thought that the Government of Great Britain was fundamentally beneficent; that the Colonies should ever hold in mind the prospect of reconciliation with the Crown; but that he would be ready for war, was inevitable. Back in October, 1775, when the forward delegates advocated the resolution requesting Virginia to seize Lord Dunmore, Johnson cried on the floor of Congress: “I see less and less prospect of a reconciliation every day; but I would not render it impossible!” And still he clung to this idea. Nor was he alone in this view. As long as the commander-in-chief of Maryland's militia held to this opinion, the other deputies from Maryland—with the exception of Chase—stood steadfast by his side. For example, as late as April 24, 1776, Delegate Stone, writing to President Jenifer, assured the folks at home that he hoped for reconciliation with the Crown. His views coincided with those of General Johnson. “I wish," said Stone, “to conduct affairs so that a just and honorable reconciliation should take place, or that we should be pretty unanimous in a resolution to fight it out for Independence. The proper way to effect this is not to move too quick. But then we must take care to do everything which is necessary for our security and defence, not suffer ourselves to be lulled or wheedled by any deceptions, declarations or givings out. You know my hearty wishes for peace upon terms of security and justice to America. But war, anything is preferable to a surrender of our rights.” The Marylanders were patriotic, but they were also conservative. The Maryland Convention was scheduled to meet again in May, and Brig.-Gen. Johnson was now preparing once more to depart from Philadelphia before adjournment of Congress. On the 25th of April, a message, signed by Johnson, Tilghman and as Stone, was dispatched to the Council of Safety, asking for the attendance of Mr. Rogers, in order that, so the letter said, many of us as might be should be at the Convention.” They added: “We don't think the Province ought to be left unrepre : sented here." In the meantime, Mr. Purviance had been haled before the Council of Safety. He acknowledged, on being examined, that the anonymous letter criticizing the Maryland authorities contained some of his sentiments but he swore he could not remember writing it. “He prevaricated most abominably," " thought the Council, which gave him a reprimand and placed him under bond to appear before the Provincial Convention. The Convention, assembling at Annapolis May 8, 1776, received the formal complaint against Purviance and decided to form a special committee to examine the documents relating to the controversy and to report back to the Convention concerning the charges. Brigadier-General Thomas Johnson, Jr., deputy from Anne Arundel County, was one of three members elected by ballot on this committee. His associates were Robert Goldsborough of Dorchester County and James Hollyday of Queen Anne's. At the end of ten days, the committee reported that Purviance's conduct had been reprehensible but recommended his discharge after a severe reprimand. In accordance with these recommendations, the Convention on the 22nd of May resolved: “Justice would well warrant a more exemplary punishment to be inflicted on the said Samuel Purviance for his said misdoings; but that in consideration of his active zeal in the common cause, and in expectation that he will hereafter conduct himself with more respect to the public bodies necessarily entrusted with power mediately or immediately by the people of this province, and will be more attentive to propriety, this Convention hath resolved, that the said Samuel Purviance for his said conduct be censured and reprimanded, and that Mr. President do from the chair censure and reprimand him accordingly, and that he be thereupon discharged." Thereupon Mr. Purviance was brought in before the bar of the House and was given a public reprimand by the President of the Convention. Meanwhile Governor Eden had sworn upon his honor that he had never tried to enflame the British Ministry, but that he had always spoken of the members of the American Congress as acting within the line of moderation. On May 24, 1776, . the Convention resolved that, although Eden's correspondence did not appear to have been carried on with hostile intent toward the Colonies," it be signified to the Governor that the public quiet and safety, in the judgment of this Convention, require that he leave this province and that he is at full liberty to depart peaceably with his effects.” When it is remembered that the Continental Congress more than a month before had directed the Council of Safety to seize Sir Robert Eden, the resolution of the Maryland Convention offering the Governor permission to leave the Province was a remarkable tribute to Eden's popularity. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 36 to 19. The Anne Arundel deputies, Johnson, Paca and Carroll, barrister, voted for its passage. At the same session, Johnson, James Hollyday, William Paca and George Plater were elected by ballot a committee to wait on the Governor and deliver to him a copy of the resolutions together with an address of sympathy and esteem. On Saturday, May 25, 1776, Gen. Johnson and Messrs. Hollyday and Paca were elected by ballot to prepare passports for the deposed Governor; and, in addition, were authorized to draft a communication on the subject to the Virginia Committee of Safety. When the authorities in the Old Dominion received word that the Governor of Maryland had been allowed to escape, contrary to the order of the Continental Congress, they were astounded. They felt that the intercepted letters from England, which found their way to Philadelphia, made Governor Eden particips criminis with Lord Dunmore; and they sent to Annapolis a remonstrance which expressed their indignation and disgust. Sir Robert Eden's courtesy and hospitality, his charms of culture and refinement, had long ago won the affections of the people of his Province. Until an opportunity came when he could depart on one of Lord Dunmore’s vessels, he was allowed to remain unmolested on parole. He was accompanied to the British frigate with every mark of respect by the most distinguished patriots of Maryland. Fate had decreed separation of Colonies from Crown. And when Robert Eden went on board the Fowey he was destined never again to see the soil of the Province, over which he had ruled to the general satisfaction of the people. The last vestiges of the Proprietary had disappeared. (To be continued.) NOTES FROM THE EARLY RECORDS OF MARYLAND The following notes are from the set of “Inventory and Account” books in the Land Office at Annapolis and date from 1674. They will serve for the most part to assist in tracing that elusive personality, the Maryland widow, although other matters are occasionally noted. As to Commissioned officers; the notes are merely to show that they held commissions at the dates given but are not intended as giving the date on which they received commissions. JANE BALDWIN COTTON. 1674 Liber Page Boyd, Anne, was widow of John Neale, A. A. Co. I 145 Brown, John, A. A. Co., whose first wife was daughter of Robert Clarkson. I 166 Bloomfield, John, married widow of Dr. Luke Barbier. I 192 Blunt, Anne, widow of Richard Blunt of Kent Co., married Nash. II 113 1674 Waterlin. Bloomfield. Fisher. of Calvert Co., married Henry Kent, Jr. Clarke, John, whose wife was widow of John Elly, Calvert Co. Hooper. Foxon, Baltimore Co. first wife of John Brown. Dorrington. Davis. Lile. Michael, Mary and Elizabeth Farmer, children of above. Foxon, Richard, his widow married William Chad bourne. Godscrosse, Alice, widow of James, married Goul 1 I 135 I 135 I 147 son, I 136 I 136 Goulson, Alice, widow of James Godscrosse. dren of James and Alice. Clagett. ters Rebecca and Margaret (Neale). T 80 I 153 |