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 nine 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 Saltpetre.

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 the same.

Adjourned till three 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 contrition 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 reasonable 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 Somerset County, and to all those patriotick 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, Esquire, 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 nine 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 Reverend 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 behaviour 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 the Proceedings of the Conventions of this Province, and for his disrespectful conduct to the Committee of Kent County, and caution him against such behaviour in future.

That, in consideration of Mr. Patterson's declaration and resolution, that he will not do any act to oppose or impede measures which have been and are thought necessary for the preservation of American liberty, and upon his acknowledging, before this Convention, the impropriety of his rash and imprudent behaviour before the said Committee, and paying the expenses incurred in bringing him to the Convention, he be discharged.

Resolved, That this Convention do highly approve the conduct of the Committee of Kent County, in calling to account the Rev. Mr. Patterson, for having spoken disrespectfully of the proceedings of the Conventions of this Province, in terms which cannot be justified by an individual in opposition to the Representative body thereof.

Ordered, That the Committee of Observation for Frederick County, immediately send in two wagons, under the guard of four of their Militia, and an Officer, to Baltimore town, three thousand pounds of Gunpowder, to the care of Mr. William Lux of that town.

A Letter, from the Committee of Baltimore County, was read.

Ordered, That the same be referred to a Committee of the Whole House.