aforesaid might be restored to him, thereupon Resolved, That the said major Follin deliver to the said John White the sails and rigging of his sloop, he first ascertaining by oath or other sufficient proof, that the sails and rigging in the possession of major Follin are the same which were taken from his sloop.

On motion, Resolved, That the council of safety be empowered to make captain John Fulford an allowance for his services in superintending the fortifications at the city of Annapolis, over and above his pay as captain of the artillery company, in proportion to what they may be of opinion he hath or shall deserve.

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. T. Wright in the chair. After some time spent therein Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. 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 on to-morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the same. Mr. Joseph Ennalls has leave of absence.

On motion of Mr. Lowes, Ordered, That the petition of Basil Clarkson be referred to the council of safety.

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

FRIDAY, October 18, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday, except Mr. Joseph Ennalls. The proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Parnham has leave of absence. Mr. Ridgely appeared in the house.

On motion, Resolred, That the council of safety be empowered to hear and determine on the case of William Bartlet Townsend of Worcester county, and to pass such judgment thereon as in their discretion they may think fit.

Agreeable to the order of the day the convention resolved itself into committee of the whole, to consider further 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. 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 on to-morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the same. Convention adjourns to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.

SATURDAY, October 19, 1776.

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

On motion of Mr. Johnson, Resolved, That every member who asks for leave of absence shall give his reasons for asking such leave, and that they be entered on the journal.

Mr. T. Wright has leave of absence till Wednesday next, on account of particular private business. Mr. Fischer has leave of absence for a few days. Mr. Hughs has leave of absence, his private affairs requiring his attendance at home.

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, 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 on to-morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the same.

Mr. S. Wright has leave of absence on account of his bad state of health. Mr. Mason has leave of absence on account of the sickness of his family.

Convention adjourns till Monday morning, 9 o'clock.

MONDAY, October 21, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on Saturday, except Mr. Fischer, Mr. T. Wright, Mr. S. Wright, Mr. Mason, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Hughs, and Mr. Sprigg. The proceedings of Saturday were read. Mr. Dent has leave of absence.

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, 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 on to-morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the same. Mr. Earle appeared in the house.

On reading and considering the petition of sundry inhabitants of Washington county, setting forth, that by a late resolve of convention the election for fixing the place for the court house of Washington county was to be held at Hagerstown, which would be so distant from many of the inhabitants of the said county that it would be very inconvenient for them to attend, and praying that the election might be held for one or more days at Skipton or Old town; thereupon the question was put, That for the ease and convenience of the inhabitants of the upper part of Washington county, the election for fixing the place for the court house of the said county shall be held two days at Skipton, beginning on the sixth day of November, and that Andrew Bruce, Lemuel Barret, and Thomas Warren, or any two of them, be judges of the said election, and give due notice to the inhabitants of the said county ; and that the judges appointed to hold the election at Hagerstown, and those appointed to hold the election at Skipton, meet together as soon as conveniently may be at Hagerstown, and there examine the said polls, and declare the said election according as the majority of voters may appear to be on both the said polls? Resolved in the affirmative.

Mr. Stull,

NEGATIVE.

Mr. Beall.

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

TUESDAY, October 22, 1776.

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

A petition from William Richardson, setting forth, that he at the time of the alarming appearance of a hostile fleet under the direction of lord Dunmore, on the thirteenth of July last, observed a sloop drifting towards the shore within about a mile and a half of his dwelling house, and a barge from the fleet rowing towards her, which soon scuttled the said sloop; that he went off with his own negroes, intending to board her and save every thing on board the said sloop he possibly could; that he accordingly saved and brought away a mainsail, topsail, and gib, a quantity of old iron, thirty-six pair of iron hinges, and fifty-three cow hides; and that all the said articles were sent for and taken away by captain Uriah Forrest; and praying to be authorized to receive a moiety of the said articles procured by him as aforesaid, was read and ordered to lie on the table.

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, 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 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.

WEDNESDAY, October 23, 1776.

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

On reading the petition of Jane Conn, wife of Hugh Conn, a private in captain Fulford's company of artillery, Ordered, That the said Hugh Conn be discharged from the service of this state, on his procuring an effective man in his stead.

On motion of Mr. Johnson, Resolved, That the council of safety

be empowered to give a bounty of twenty dollars to each able seaman, and ten dollars to each landsman, who shall enlist to serve in the marine service of the state during the war, or until discharged by the supreme authority of this state; and that the council of safety may also order any vessel now fitting, or which shall be fitted under the resolutions of convention, on such cruize as they may think fit; and further the council of safety may retain any men who shall voluntarily offer and subscribe articles for a cruize only, without any bounty or wages, and any prizes which may be made, as to those who go on bounty and wages, shall be divisible according to the resolutions of Congress, two-thirds to the public, and onethird to the crew; but as to those who shall enter for the cruize without bounty or wages, the division shall be one half to the public, and one half amongst the crew, according to the common practice of privateers.

The convention having received information, that a number of the inhabitants of Caroline county had marched down into Dorchester county, and committed sundry depredations in the said county, by entering the houses of the inhabitants thereof, and in a violent manner taking and carrying away their salt, and that sundry of the inhabitants of Dorcherter county had joined with them in committing such unwarrantable depredations and outrages,

Ordered, That the committees of Caroline and Dorchester counties make immediate enquiry into the causes of the said disorders, and, if they judge it necessary, to send under a sufficient guard to this convention, or in their recess to the council of safety, such persons as shall appear to them to have been most active therein, and that the committees of Caroline and Dorchester counties do apply to brigadier-general Hooper, to order out such part of the militia under his command as they may judge necessary to bring the said offenders to justice.

Mr. John Ennalls has leave of absence.

Whereas, justice may in many instances require that individuals of this state enlisted in the service of the continent or of this state should be discharged, it is therefore Resolved, That the council of safety may discharge any such person either absolutely or conditionally on such terms as to them may seem proper.

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 de