the King's speech, (which they burnt,) they have hoisted the Union Flag, which is here supposed to intimate the union of the Provinces.

About a week ago, the Rebels made an excursion into Charlestown, and burnt down some few houses that were left standing, and carried off a sergeant and four men prisoners; but, at present, all is quiet.

You had better, if any of your ships should come out, get higher freight, for the loss, in wear, is greater than I expected, and no supply can be had. If you send some naval stores, they will sell well. There are a great many privateers out, and more will be soon ready; but I suppose the ships, after this, will come with convoy.

I am, &c.

P, S. I brought but fourteen hogs alive; and another ship, that had one hundred and thirty sheep, brought in five, and all as thin as you could expect, and, as the sailors say, only fit for lanterns.

MARYLAND CONVENTION.

At a Convention of Delegates, chosen by the several Counties of the Province of Maryland, at the City of Annapolis, on Thursday, the 7th of December, 1775.Present:

FOR ST. MARY'S COUNTY: John Allen Thomas, Richard Barnes.

CHARLES COUNTY: William Smallwood, Francis Ware, Josias Hawkins, Thomas Stone, Robert T. Hooe.

CALVERT COUNTY: Benjamin Mackall 4th, Alexander Somerville, Edward Gannt, Patrick Sim Smith, William, Allein.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY: Joseph Sim, Thomas Contee, John Rogers,

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY: Charles Carroll, Barrister, Thomas Johnson, Jun., Samuel Chase, Charles Carroll, of Carrollton.

FREDERICK COUNTY, MIDDLE DISTRICT: Charles Beatty, Baker Johnson.

LOWER DISTRICT: Henry Griffith.

BALTIMORE COUNTY: Robert Alexander, Benjamin Nicholson, John Moale, Waller Tolley, Jun., Jeremiah T. Chase.

HARFORD COUNTY: John Love, Richard Dallam.

CECIL COUNTY: John Veazy, Jun., Joseph Gilpin, John D. Thompson, Nathaniel Ramsay, Patrick Ewing.

KENT COUNTY: Peregrine Letherbury, Emory Sudler, William, Sluby.

QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY: Turbutt Wright, James Tilghman.

TALBOT COUNTY: Matthew Tilghman, Nicholas Thomas.

CAROLINE COUNTY: Joshua Clark, Richard Mason.

SOMERSET COUNTY: George Dashiell, Gustavus Scott.

WORCESTER COUNTY: Samuel Handy, Smith Bishop, Joseph Dashiell.

The Honourable Matthew Tilghman, Esq., was unanimously chosen President, and Mr. Gabriel Duvall, appointed Clerk.

Ordered, That Gabriel Duvall qualify himself as Clerk, by taking oath that he will faithfully, diligently, and honestly, discharge the office of Clerk to this Convention, and that he will not disclose or reveal the secrets thereof.

The Convention appointed Mr. Allen Quynn Messenger to attend this Convention, and ordered that he qualify himself as such, by taking the oath of office and secrecy, as above directed to be taken by the Clerk.

The Convention appointed Mr. Robert Reynolds Door-keeper, and ordered that he qualify himself as such, by taking the oath of office and secrecy, as above directed to be taken: by the Clerk.

Ordered, That the Clerk write to the several absent Members, and require their immediate attendance here.

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

Friday, December 8, 1775.

Convention met. All Members present as on yesterday.

The Proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Richard T. Earle, a Member for Queen Anne's County, appeared and took his seat in the House.

Certificates of the qualification of the Clerk, Messenger, and Doorkeeper, were produced and filed.

A Letter from Mr. John Hanson, Jun., Chairman of the Committee of Frederick County, was read, together with several Papers therein enclosed, relating to Allen Cameron, John Smith, and John Connolly, now in custody, by order of the said Committee.

On motion, Resolved, That a sum not exceeding two hundred Pounds, currency, be appropriated for building a strong Log Jail, in Fredericktown, in Frederick County, at least thirty feet long, and twenty in breadth, lined with two inch plank on end, of two stories, with split logs, and plank floors, the upper story to be divided into three rooms, with a stove in each room. And that a small house be built for the Keeper, and occasionally for a Guard, enclosing the door of the said Jail.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western Shore pay the said sum of money, or any part thereof, to James Johnson and Thomas Beatty, or their order, that the same, or such part thereof, as shall be necessary, be laid out by them in building the said Jail.

Adjourned till three o'clock.

Post Meridiem.—Convention met.

Ordered, That the Messenger be directed to hire an Express to despatch Letters to the several absent Members.

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

Saturday, December 9, 1775.

Convention met. All Members present as on yesterday.

The Proceedings of yesterday were read.

On motion, Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to examine the several Claims upon the Treasury, and report the same to the Convention; and Mr. Contee, Mr. Sim, Mr. Earle, Mr. Hooe, Mr. Moale, and Mr. Tolley, were elected by ballot to be the said Committee.

Resolved, That they, or any four of them, have power to act.

Resolved, That the several returns of subscriptions for Arms and Ammunition, within this Province, be referred to the said Committee.

Mr. Peter Waters, a Member for Somerset County, appeared and took his seat in the House.

The House taking into their consideration, that this Province, by means of the necessary attendance of some of its Deputies now in Convention, is at present unrepresented in Congress, directed the President to know of Mr. John Hall, whether it was convenient for him to attend in Congress; and Mr. Hall having signified that it was very inconvenient to him at this time, and that it was his wish, that some other gentleman might be appointed in his stead, and it being represented that Mr. Robert Goldsborough, through long indisposition, is at present unable to attend that service, it is, therefore,

Resolved, That, in the present critical and dangerous situation of the United Colonies, it is highly necessary that three Deputies from this Province do immediately attend in Congress, now sitting at Philadelphia; and that for this purpose, two gentlemen be now appointed, and added to the number of Deputies already chosen; and Robert Alexander and John Rogers, Esq., were elected by ballot.

Resolved, That Robert Alexander and John Rogers, Esquires, together with those already chosen, be Deputies to represent this Province in the Continental Congress; and that the said Deputies, or any three or more of them, have full and ample power to consent and agree to all measures which such Congress shall deem necessary and effectual to obtain a redress of American grievances, and be authorized to represent and act for this Province in any Continental Congress which may be held before the 25th day of March next.

Adjourned till three o'clock..