Those of Baltimore County were men of firm and independent spirits, having nothing to hope, and nothing to fear from Government, and were highly acceptable to the people for their faithful and unwearied attendance on publick business. During the sitting of Court, which was last week, a rumour was spread abroad that a new commission was expected, and some of the old Magistrates were said to be dismissed, and a set of men introduced in their places, the very mentioning of whose names was looked upon as a burlesque on Magistracy. The commission, however, was produced in Court, and read, when it was found that nine of the oldest and best Magistrates were left out, and eleven others named, some of whom had never been heard of by the people, and others but too well known for their uniform opposition to every measure that has been adopted for the preservation of American freedom. The astonishment, contempt, and indignation, which were visible in the countenance of all present, gave disagreeable apprehensions lest some violence should succeed; but temperate resentment was adopted, and will be pursued.

No reason was alleged for such a violent insult on the Bench, nor could at first be conjectured. The Magistrates who were thus disgracefully dismissed had been earnestly solicited to engage in the business, and often refused, but at length, out of respect to the Governour, and desirous that the publick peace and good Government might be maintained, they were prevailed on to act, and accordingly executed their trust with great fidelity, much to the satisfaction of the people, and with evident detriment to their own private affairs. The affront that was designed has totally failed of its intended effect; for it was soon known that the honour of their dismission was procured by the vilest means of a contemptible junto in Baltimore Town, who are incurably inimical to the rights of Americans, and the veriest tools of Government. Their number and characters are exceedingly trifling; but they have found means, by the lowest sycophantism, to attach themselves to men who have the ear of our too easy Governour, and by the basest calumnies and suggestions, have brought about this change so irritating to the people. The better to conceal their insidious design, some of the good old Magistrates were permitted to keep their stations a little longer, till the tyros should be fixed securely in their seats; then it was not doubted but they were to follow their brethren. But these gentlemen, seeing through the flimsy veil, with a proper and becoming spirit rejected the bait, and nobly threw up their commissions; refusing to countenance such unworthy treatment of their brethren, or associate with men whose political principles they detested.

Two of the youngest Justices in the old commission were made of the quorum in the new; and whether they were childishly tickled with this trifling distinction, or had been tampered with, is not certainly known; but, to the mortification and grief of their friends, they were prevailed on to qualify, by which they have shaken their credit greatly with their countrymen. They were, indeed, men of merit, and esteemed by the people, and inadvertently engaged in this dirty business, not discovering the real design of the manœuvre, or adverting to the general characters of the men who were placed by their sides. It is thought they will yet resign, and thus regain the confidence of their countrymen; for the refusing or accepting of a seat on this courtly Bench is now, very justly, made a criterion, by which to know a man’s political principles. He that refuses, acts consistently, and exhibits an unequivocal proof of his unshaken attachment to his Country; he that accepts cannot hope that any declarations of his own will wipe off a well-founded suspicion that he is at least a negative character.

I may, perhaps, by another opportunity, give you a specifick description of the individuals who compose this right worshipful group. Indeed, they are in general below contempt, having no respect or authority among the people, and I hear, are daily insulted in the streets, and lampooned from all quarters. Can it be expected that men who are the contempt and detestation of the people, will ever be able to keep peace and good order in the community? These are the blessed effects of that arbitrary spirit of Government which, issuing from a polluted source, have descended with increased contaminations to the remotest departments of office.

DELAWARE ASSEMBLY.

Monday, March 13, 1775.

The House met at New-Castle, pursuant to their adjournment, [on the 26th of October last,] and adjourned till to-morrow morning, ten o’clock.

Tuesday, March 14, 1775.

Messrs. George Read, Thomas McKean, and John Clark, Members of this House, who were absent at the beginning of this session, now appeared in the House, took and subscribed the usual qualifications, and took their seats accordingly.

Mr. McKean informed the House, that the late Representatives of the Freemen of this Government met in Convention at New-Castle, on the first and second days of August last, and among other things nominated and appointed the Honourable Cæsar Rodney, Esq., George Read, Esquire, and himself, or any two of them, Deputies or Delegates on the part and behalf of this Government, in a General Continental Congress, then proposed to be held at the City of Philadelphia, on the first Monday in September following, or at any other time or place that might be generally agreed on, then and there to consult and advise with the Deputies from the other Colonies, and to determine upon all such prudent and lawful measures as might be judged most expedient for the Colonies immediately and unitedly to adopt, in order to obtain relief for an oppressed people, and the redress of our general grievances; the proceedings of which Convention he delivered in at the table, and the same were, by order, read.

He then proceeded to inform the House, that they, the said Cæsar Rodney, George Read, and himself, repaired to the City of Philadelphia, according to appointment, and that the Congress had agreed to the several particulars contained in a printed pamphlet, intituled, “The Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress held at Philadelphia, September 5th, 1774,” and certified to be a genuine and exact copy of the original by Charles Thomson, their Secretary, which he delivered in at the table for the perusal and consideration of the House.

Ordered, That the same be read.

And the same was done accordingly.

Resolved, That the same be detained under consideration till to-morrow morning.

Then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning at ten o’clock.

Wednesday, March 15, A. M.

The House resumed the consideration of the Proceedings of the late Convention, and of the Continental Congress; and after due deliberation,

Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House do approve of the conduct of the late Representatives of this Government in their said Convention, and of their appointment of the said Cæsar Rodney, Thomas McKean, and George Read, as Deputies on the part and behalf of this Government.

Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House do approve of the Proceedings of the late Congress held at the City of Philadelphia, and of the conduct of the gentlemen appointed Deputies to attend the same on the part of this Government.

On motion,

Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be given to all the Members of the said Congress, and in particular to the gentlemen who represented this Government at the same, for their faithful and judicious discharge of the trust in them reposed.

Ordered, That the Minutes and Journal of the said Convention and Congress be deposited amongst the files and Minutes of this House.

On motion,

Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House will make an allowance to the gentlemen who represented this Government at the Congress, for their expense in attending the service aforesaid.

On motion,

Ordered, That Messrs. McKinly, Robinson, and Ridgely, be a Committee for that purpose, and make report of their proceedings this afternoon.