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ing been made by Bartlett Townsend, son of the said William Bartlett Townsend, to take the management of the said estate into his possession, to secure the same against waste, and to prevent the negroes thereon being removed.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of observation for Worcester county aforesaid, to commit the said estate to the said Bartlett Townsend, taking bond with sufficient security, for his taking care of, managing and securing the said estate, and every part thereof, first having the same inventoried and appraised, and to be accountable for the same; and to take such measures as shall be necessary to prevent the negroes on the said estate being carried out of this province, or removed to any place where they may be liable to be taken out of this province, and to return and deliver up the said estate, and every part thereof, as soon as the said William Bartlett Townsend shall surrender himself to the committee of Worcester county, to take his trial before the convention if sitting, or the council of safety hereafter to be appointed.

Ordered, That the clerk make out and transmit a copy of the above resolution to the committee of observation for Worcester county.

Mr. Robert Buchanan, a member for Kent county, appeared and took his seat in the house.

A petition from sundry inhabitants of Baltimore county, relative to the election of committee men and delegates for said county, being read, Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration on Wednesday next.

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The proceedings of the committee of Kent county were read to Mr. Robert Buchanan in his place, and the said Robert Buchanan heard thereon; upon which Mr. Buchanan confessed that he had refused to enroll according to the resolution of the last convention, and that in consequence of his reasons, fourteen others had also refused; and declared, he having conceived himself not well treated by the said committee, at the time the said proceeding passed, was rather short in his answers to them, and did not give the committee that satisfaction respecting his conduct, in the subject by the said proceedings referred to, as was in his power, or as he would have done, had he not apprehended himself ill treated by the committee. Mr. Buchanan then withdrew, and the convention

having considered the said proceedings and conduct of the said Robert Buchanan.

Resolved, That the proceedings of the committee of Kent county, respecting Mr. Buchanan, are approved by this convention : And that Mr. President from the chair signify to the said Robert Buchanan in his place, that this convention censures the conduct of the said Robert Buchanan, in having refused to enroll in the militia, on the terms directed by the last convention, and in having encouraged others to imitate his example; thereby setting up his own judgment in opposition to the determinations of that convention, and that the said Robert Buchanan be informed by Mr. President, that he and those who disapproved the scheme adopted by the same convention, for regulating the militia, ought to have applied to the next convention for such alterations as they thought necessary ; that such applications would have been duly considered and attended to; but that the said Robert Buchanan ought in the mean time to have acquiesced in the regulations agreed to in convention by the representative body of the province.

Ordered, also, That Mr. President signify to Mr. Buchanan, that this convention highly disapprove his conduct and behaviour before the committee, respecting the charge exibited against him, which the said committee were bound by their duty to examine into and proceed on.

Mr. Sudler has leave of absence till Monday next.

Ordered, That the committee of Kent county deliver to Mr. Sudler, out of the public arms in their possession, one hundred firelocks, forty bayonets, two hundred pounds of powder and all the cutlasses.

The order of the day for taking into consideration the state of the province being read, Ordered, That the same be referred for further consideration till to-morrow.

Mr. Allein has leave of absence.

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

FRIDAY, December 15th, 1775.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday except Mr. Mason and Mr. Allein. The proceedings of yesterday were read. James Hollyday, Esquire, a member for Queen-Anne's county, and Mr. Thomas Bond, a member for Harford county, appeared and took their seats in the house.

Upon reading the proceedings of the committee of Anne Arundel county against Robert Davis, he appeared and presented a memmorial, which was read and considered, and thereupon Mr. President was directed to inform Mr. Davis, that it was his duty to at

tend the committee, when requested, and to subscribe the association, when offered to him; that this convention highly disapproves his indecent conduct and behaviour to the gentlemen ordered by the committee of Anne Arundel county to compel his attendance before them, but in consideration of his submission and sorrow for his offence, have ordered him to be discharged.

Ordered, That Robert Davis's memorial, with a copy of the above resolve, be sent to the committee of Anne Arundel county. Adjourned till 3 o'clock.

POST MERIDIEM.

Convention met. Mr. Josias Beall, a member for Prince George's, appeared and took his seat in the house. Mr. Bond has leave of absence.

On motion, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to draw the form of commissions for the officers of the militia of this province, and Mr. Thomas Johnson, Mr. Hollyday, and Mr. Wright, were elected by ballot a committee for that purpose.

Mr. Nicholson has leave of absence till Monday next.

Resolved, That if the assistance of the militia of Somerset and Worcester counties, or either of them, should be needed and requested by the committee of Accomack or Northampton county, this convention is desirous such assistance should be given; and this province will pay and subsist the militia in that service.

The order of the day for taking into consideration the state of the province was read and considered; Ordered, That the same be referred for further consideration until to-morrow.

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

SATURDAY, December 16, 1775.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday except Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Bond. The proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Sim has leave of absence.

Upon reading the proposals of Jacob Myer of Frederick county, for building a powder mill; Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee for devising the best ways and means to promote the manufacture of salt petre.

The order of the day, for taking into consideration the state of the province, was read and considered, and after some time spent in debate thereon, Resolved, That this convention will, in the afternoon, resolve itself into a committee of the whole house, to consider of the same.

Adjourned till 3 o'clock.

POST MERIDIEM.

Convention met. Mr. Gantt has leave of absence.

Isaac Atkinson, according to order, being brought before the convention in custody of Captain William Hyde, the proceedings of the Eastern shore branch of the council of safety, respecting the said Isaac Atkinson, were read; and he was informed by Mr. President, that the convention would hear any thing, which he had to say in mitigation of his offence; the said Isaac Atkinson declared, he never meant to injure America, his native country, and was extremely sorry for what he had done; that he was ready and willing to make any concessions, and atonement to his country, which were in his power, and this convention thought necessary; that he was willing to give security for his good behaviour in future; whereupon, it is Resolved, That the President reprimand the said Isaac Atkinson for the offence, of which he stands condemned; and that the said Isaac Atkinson be informed by the President, that this convention views him, as a man guilty of a crime of a heinous nature against this country, which was and is entitled to his aid and assistance but that this convention, considering the penitence and contriton of the said Isaac Atkinson, and that a numerous family must suffer by a continuance of his imprisonment, had thought proper to mitigate his punishment.

Resolved, That the said Isaac Atkinson be discharged from confinement, first having given bond with good security, payable to the President, in the sum of one thousand pounds currency, for his future good behaviour; and for the payment of such resonable expenses as shall be adjudged by the convention to have been incurred in guarding and confining him.

Resolved, That the thanks of this convention are due to the committee of Somersett county, and to all those patriotic and spirited friends of Worcester and Somerset counties, who were active in arresting and securing the said Isaac Atkinson, and quelling that dangerous spirit, which was discovered by the said Isaac Atkinson, and others, who joined in inimical designs against this country.

Ordered, That the said Isaac Atkinson be continued in custody, till he give the security above mentioned.

Ordered, That four men of Captain Hyde's company guard the

said Isaac Atkinson.

The Convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole house. Charles Carroll, Esq., barrister, in the chair.

After having spent some time in considering the state of the province, Mr. President resumed the chair; and Mr. Carroll reported,

that the committee, according to order, had taken under their consideration the state of the province, but not being able to go through the same, had directed him to move for leave to sit again. Resolved, That this convention will, on Monday next, resolve itself into the said committee.

Convention adjourns till Monday morning half after 9 o'clock.

MONDAY, December 18, 1775.

Convention met. All members present as on Saturday, except Mr. Gantt, Mr. Sim, and Mr. Sudler. The proceedings of Saturday were read. Mr. William Baird, a member for the upper district of Frederick county, appeared and took his seat in the house.

The petition of Thomas McCobb of Lincoln county, in the colony of Massachusetts bay, was read the first time and ordered to lie on the table.

The Rev. Mr. Patterson, according to order, was brought before the convention in custody of a guard of four of the militia of captain Johnson's company. The proceedings of the committee of Kent county, respecting the conduct and behavior of the said Rev. Mr. Patterson, were read; and he was informed by Mr. President, that the convention would hear any thing he had to offer in his defence. Mr. Patterson was then heard and ordered to withdraw. Ordered, That he attend in the afternoon at three o'clock. Adjourned till three o'clock.

POST MERIDIEM.

Convention met, and took Mr. Patterson's case into consideration, and thereupon Resolved, That Mr. Patterson be informed by the president, that it is not the intention of this convention to preclude the inhabitants of this province from judging of their proceedings with decency and temper; but that those who apprehend any defect therein, ought to apply for such alterations and amendments, as may be thought proper and necessary; and such applications will always be attended to and duly considered. And in the mean time this convention expects an acquiescence in such measures as may be thought necessary for the safety of the country, until the same are reconsidered by the representative body of the people. That the expressions and declarations made use of by the said Mr. Patterson were highly indecent and intemperate, for which, and for his disrespectful conduct to the committee of Kent county, he deserves the censure of this convention. That the president do accordingly censure Mr. Patterson for the indecency and intemperance of his expressions and declarations, reflecting upon

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