SOCIETY OF THE SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS.

London Tavern, January 17, 1775.

At a Meeting of the Supporters of the Bill of Rights, held this day, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of the City of London in the Chair, it was

Resolved unanimously, That the liberties, franchises, and chartered rights of our fellow-subjects in America, are so nearly connected with those of Great Britain, that the subversion of either must prove equally fatal to both.

Resolved unanimously, That it be earnestly recommended to such members of this society, who have seats in Parliament, to exert themselves in bringing to the justice of their country the advisers of measures for establishing arbitrary Government over our affectionate fellow-subjects in America, by Taxing them without their consent; refusing them a fair Trial by Jury; establishing Popery, and taking from them the right of the Habeas Corpus Act; and to obtain for that much injured people a full redress of grievances. By order of the Society,

JOHN WILKES, Chairman.

FAIRFAX COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

Extracts from the Proceedings of the Committee of Fairfax County, on the 17th of January, 1775.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQUIRE, Chairman,
ROBERT H. HARRISON, Clerk:

Resolved, That the defenceless state of this County renders it indispensably necessary that a quantity of Ammunition should be immediately provided; and as the same will be for the common benefit, protection, and defence of the inhabitants thereof, it is but just and reasonable that the expenses incurred in procuring the same should be defrayed by a general and equal contribution. It is therefore recommended that the sum of three Shillings per poll, for the purpose aforesaid, be paid by, and for every tithablc person in this County, to the Sheriff, or such other Collector as may be appointed, who is to render the same to this Committee, with a list of the names of such persons as shall refuse to pay the same, if any such there be.

Resolved, That this Committee do concur in opinion with the Provincial Committee of the Province of Maryland, that a well regulated Militia, composed of gentlemen freeholders, and other freemen, is the natural strength and only stable security of a free Government, and that such Militia will relieve our mother country from any expense in our protection and defence, will obviate the pretence of a necessity for taxing us on that account, and render it unnecessary to keep Standing Armies among us ever dangerous to liberty; and therefore it is recommended to such of the inhabitants of this County as are from sixteen to fifty years of age, to form themselves into Companies of sixty-eight men; to choose a Captain, two Lieutenants, an Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, and one Drummer, for each Company; that they provide themselves with good Firelocks, and use their utmost endeavours to make themselves masters of the Military Exercise, published by order of his Majesty in 1764, and recommended by the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts Bay, on the 29th of October last.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, (VIRGINIA) ASSOCIATION.

Threatened with the destruction of our ancient Laws and Liberty, and the loss of all that is dear to British subjects and freemen, justly alarmed with the prospect of impending ruin,—firmly determined at the hazard of our lives, to transmit to our children and posterity those sacred rights to which ourselves were born; and thoroughly convinced that a well regulated Militia, composed of the gentlemen, freeholders, and other freeman, is the natural strength, and only safe and stable security of a free Government, and that such Militia will relieve our mother country from any expense in our protection and defence, will obviate the pretence of a necessity for taxing us on that account, and render it unnecessary to keep any Standing Army (ever dangerous to liberty) in this Colony, we the subscribers, inhabitants of Fairfax County, have freely and voluntarily agreed, and hereby do agree and solemnly promise, to enroll and embody ourselves into a Militia for this County, intended to consist of all the able-bodied freemen from eighteen to fifty years of age, under Officers of their own choice, and for that purpose to form ourselves into distinct Companies of sixty-eight men each; and so soon as the said Companies or any of them in convenient neighbourhoods and Districts are completed, to choose from among our friends and acquaintance, upon whose justice, humanity and bravery, we can rely, a Captain, two Lieutenants, an Ensign, and four Sergeants, for each Company; every Captain respectively to appoint four Corporals and a Drummer for his Company, which election of Officers is to be annual in any Company, if the majority of the Company think fit; and whenever a sufficient number of Companies shall be made up, all the said Companies are to be formed into a Regiment, under the command of a Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, and Major, to be chosen by the Captains, Lieutenants, and Ensigns of the said Companies; which election of Field Officers is to be annual also, if the majority of the Officers think fit. And such of us as have, or can procure Rifle-Guns, and understand the use of them, will be ready to form a Company of Marksmen or Light-Infantry for the said Regiment, choosing our own Officers as aforesaid, and distinguishing our dress, when we are upon duty, from that of the other Companies, by painted hunting-shirts and Indian boots, or caps, as shall be found most convenient; which regulation and establishment is to be preserved and continued until a regular and proper Militia Law for the defence of the country, shall be enacted by the Legislature of this Colony. And we do each of us for ourselves respectively, promise and engage to keep a good Firelock, in proper order, and to furnish ourselves as soon as possible with, and always keep by us, one pound of Gunpowder, four pounds of Lead, one dozen Gun-Flints, and a pair of Bullet-Moulds, with a Cartouch-Box, or Powder-Horn, and Bag for Balls. That we will use our best endeavours to perfect ourselves in the Military Exercise and Discipline, and therefore will pay due obedience to our Officers, and regularly attend such private and general musters as they shall appoint. And that we will always hold ourselves in readiness, in case of necessity, hostile invasion, or real danger, to defend and preserve to the utmost of our power, our religion, the laws of our country, and the just rights and privileges of our fellow-subjects, our posterity, and ourselves, upon the principles of the English Constitution.

BALTIMORE COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE.

At a Meeting of the Committee of Observation appointed for Baltimore County, at the Court House, in Baltimore Town, on Tuesday, the 17th day of January, 1775, were present:

Captain CHARLES RIDGLEY, in the Chair,
JEREMIAH TOWNLY CHASE, Clerk.

Information being made to the Committee by Mr. Benjamin Nicholson, that the Reverend Mr. William Elmiston, had publickly asserted, "that all persons who mustered were guilty of treason; and that such of them as had taken the oath of allegiance, and took up Arms, were guilty of perjury," and that the said William Edmiston, had "approved publickly of the Quebec Bill,"

The Committee were of opinion, that such declarations have a tendency to defeat the measures recommended for the preservation of America and her Liberties, and that it is their duty to take notice of persons guilty of such offences; whereupon,

Resolved unanimously, That this Committee will meet