Post Meridiem.—Convention met. Mr. John Ennals and Mr. James Murray, Members for Dorchester County, Mr. William Adams and Mr. John Adams, Members for Somerset. County, and Mr. Aquila Hall, a Member for Harford County, appeared and took their seats in the House.

On motion, Resolved, That the Deputies from this Province to the Continental Congress, be each allowed the sum of fifteen Pounds, common money, per week, during their attendance in Congress.

Convention adjourns till Monday morning, half after nine o'clock.

Monday, December 11, 1775.

Convention met. All Members present as on Saturday, except Mr. James Tilghman, Mr. Mackall, Mr. Smith, Mr. Sim, Mr. Contee, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Gilpin, and Mr. Moale.

The Proceedings of Saturday were read. Mr. Pollard Edmonson and Mr. James Lloyd Chamberlaine, Members for Talbot County, appeared and took their seats in the House.

The Proceedings of the Committee of Observation for Talbot County, relative to Mr. Francis Baker, a Member returned for the said County, together with several Resolves of the Continental Congress, were read the first time, and ordered to lie on the table.

On motion, Resolved, That the Parliamentary Post be not permitted or suffered to travel in or pass through this Province, with any Mail, Packages, or Letters; and the several Committees of Observation are requested and directed to see this Resolution strictly observed and executed.

Ordered, That the above Resolve be published in the Maryland Gazelle.

On motion, Resolved, That every Member of this Convention consider himself under the ties of virtue, honour, and love of his country, not to divulge, directly or indirectly, any matter or thing agitated or debated in Convention, during the time of debate, or before the same shall be determined, which the mover thereof shall openly request to be kept secret, without the leave of the Convention, or a majority thereof, or any matter or thing which a majority of the Convention shall order to be kept secret; and that every person who shall violate this agreement, shall be expelled this Convention, and considered as an enemy to America, and liable to be treated as such; and that every Member signify his consent hereto by signing the same.

Adjourned till three o'clock.

Post Meridiem.—Convention met.

The Convention took into their consideration the Proceedings of the Committee of Talbot County, on the case of Mr. Francis Baker, who had been guilty of a breach of the Continental Association, and who had been since elected a Member for Talbot County. The said Francis Baker appeared, acknowledged his offence, and expressed great contrition and sorrow for the same, and prayed a remission of the penalty annexed by the Congress to his crime, that he might not be declared an enemy to America, but be permitted to enjoy the rights of a member of this community, on such terms and conditions as this Convention may think proper to impose; and promised a strict compliance with all Continental and Provincial Resolutions; whereupon, it is

Resolved, That the seat of the said Francis Baker be vacated, and that the Electors of Talbot County elect another person as a Member and Committee-man for that County, in the room and place of the said Francis Baker, the Committee giving ten days' notice of the election, excluding the days of notice and election, and any three of their Members to be judges thereof: That the said Baker not offering himself for any office of trust, his offence be not published, nor any further proceedings had against him.

Ordered, That the Clerk make out and transmit a copy of the above Resolve to the Committee of Observation for Talbot County.

On motion, Resolved, That this Convention will, on Thursday next, take into consideration the state of the Province.

The Proceedings of the Eastern Shore branch of the Council of Safety, relating to Mr. Isaac Atkinson, were read the first time, and ordered to lie on the table.

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

Tuesday, December 12, 1775.

The Convention met. All Members present as on yesterday. The Proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Contee, Mr. James Tilghmak, Mr. Mackall, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Gilpin, appeared in the House.

On motion, Resolved, That the Committee of Observation for Talbot County, be requested immediately to send Isaac Atkinson, under a guard of four of the Militia of that County, to this Convention; and that the Sheriff of Talbot County deliver the said Atkinson to such guard.

Ordered, That the accounts of Expenses attending the prosecution of Isaac Atkinson, be referred to the Committee appointed to examine the several claims upon the Treasury.

The Proceedings of the Committee of Kent County, relative to the conduct and behaviour of the Reverend John Patterson were read, and are as follow:

"At a meeting of a special Committee held for Kent County, on the 16th day of August, Anno Domini 1775, present, Thomas Smyth, Chairman, and thirteen Members.

This Committee being informed that the Reverend Mr. John Patterson, of Kent County, had some time past publickly spoken words which reflected upon the Convention; upon which the matter was considered, and

Resolved, That summons issue to the said Patterson, for him to appear before the next Committee to be held for the County aforesaid, on Monday, the, 2lst instant; to which time this Committee is adjourned."

"Monday, the 21st day of August, the Committee met according to adjournment, present, thirty-one Members.

The Reverend John Patterson appeared in consequence of the summons issued at the last meeting, and being interrogated with regard to the disrespectful words which it was alleged he had spoken against the Convention, confessed that he had reflected on the Proceedings of the Convention, as well that held in December last, as the one held in July last; that the first had undertaken to preclude persons who were not members of the Committee, from judging of the propriety of their proceedings; that he conceived the said Convention had entered into that resolution to cover a duplicity of conduct of the Continental Congress; that it was depriving men of their liberty, and that he considered himself brought as a criminal, to receive a mock trial; that the multitude were deluded; that he did not see why he should not judge upon the Proceedings of the Convention, it was a liberty the people of New-York. had taken; upon being asked who, in New-York, he answered, Doctor Cooper and Doctor Chandler, and said that he should think it a higher honour to be ranked with those gentlemen, than to have the approbation of this Committee, or even the Convention; that the last Convention had treated James Chrystie in a tyrannical, cruel, and oppressive manner, and that there was more liberty in Turkey than in this Province; that the Convention had forbid him from passing any censure on the Congress; that he had not done it since, and that if the Committee should forbid him from passing any censure on the Convention, he would not, but should then confine himself to censures on the Committee.

Upon which, it was unanimously voted, That the whole proceedings against said Patterson be transmitted to the Council of Safety for this Province, for them to take order therein.

A true copy from the Minutes:

W. HALL, Clerk Committee."

Whereupon, it is Resolved, That the Committee, of Observation for Kent County be requested immediately to take into custody the Reverend John Patterson, and send him under a guard of four of the Militia to this Convention.