tract more readily, and be more plentifully impregnated with Nitre, for future use.

Mr. Jeremiah Jordan was appointed Supervisor for St. Mary's County; Mr. Thomas Sernes for Charles County; Dr. Edward Johnson for Calvert County; Mr. Richard Richardson for Anne Arundel County; Mr. Daniel Clark for Prince George's County; Mr. Thomas Richardson for the Lower District, and Mr. Charles Beatty for the Middle District of Frederick County; Dr. Charles F. Weisenthall for Baltimore County; Mr. Amos Garrett for Harford County; Mr. Henry Hollingsworth for Cecil County; Dr. John Scott for Kent County; Mr. William Hemsley for Queen Anne's County; Mr. James Benson for Talbot County; Mr. Thomas Ennals, B. W., for Dorchester County; Mr. Joshua Clark for Caroline County; Mr. George Day Scott for Somerset County; and Mr. Joshua Townsend, for Worcester County.

That upon the death or refusal of any Supervisor, the Committee of Observation for the County where such death or refusal shall happen, are required immediately to nominate and appoint some other discreet and active person in his place.

Mr. Beatty brings in, and delivers to Mr. President, a Report from the Committee appointed to consider and report the most effectual method of establishing a Gun-Lock Manufactory, and the expense thereof, which was read the first time and ordered to lie on the table.

Adjourned till three o'clock.

Post Meridiem. Convention met. Mr. Tolley appeared in the House.

The Petition of Patrick Graham, of Charles County, was read a second time and granted.

Mr. Johnson brings in, and delivers to Mr. President, the form of a Commission for the Officers of the Militia of this Province; which was read a first and second time and agreed to, and is as follows:

The Delegates of the Freemen of Maryland, in Convention, to. . . . . . . .: We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your fidelity, courage, good conduct, and attachment to the liberties of America, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be . . . . . . . You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the trust reposed in you, by disciplining all officers and soldiers under your command; and we do, hereby, strictly enjoin and require them to obey you as their . . . . . . . And you are to observe and follow all such orders and directions as you shall, from time to time, receive from this or a future Convention, or from the Council of Safety of Maryland, for the time being, according to the rules and regulations established by this or a future Convention. This Commission to be in force until revoked by this or some future Convention of the Delegates of the Freemen of Maryland, or by the Council of Safety of Maryland, for the time being, according to the powers and authorities in such Council of Safety to be hereafter vested by such Convention.

Given. . . . this. . . day of. . . Anno Domini 177.

By order of the Convention:

MATTHEW TILGHMAN, President.

Ordered, That twenty-five hundred copies thereof be immediately printed.

Mr. Chamberlaine brings in, and delivers to Mr. President, a Report from the Committee appointed to examine into the facts contained in the Memorial preferred by the Justices of Frederick County, which was read the first time, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Convention took into consideration the Report from the Committee appointed to consider and report the most effectual method of establishing a Gun-Lock Manufactory, and the expense thereof; and, thereupon,

Resolved, That a Gun-Lock Manufactory be established in Fredericktown, in Frederick County, or in the neighbourhood thereof. That twelve hundred Pounds, common money, be appropriated for erecting and carrying on the said Manufactory, and be subject to be drawn out and applied for that purpose by three Commissioners, who shall, over and above, have power to draw out of the publick Treasury any sum of money, not exceeding one dollar, for every good Musket-lock made at the said Manufactory, and delivered pursuant to the orders of the Convention, or Council of Safety, in the recess of the Convention.

Resolved, That Mr. Charles Beatty, Mr. James Johnson, and Mr. John Hanson, Jun., or any two of them, be Commissioners for the above purpose.

Resolved, That the said Commissioners, or any two of them, be directed to purchase ground, not exceeding one half acre, in or near Fredericktowm, sufficient for erecting shops for the said Manufactory, which ground is to be conveyed to the said Commissioners for the use of this Province; and that the said Commissioners, or any two of them, draw on the Treasury of the Western Shore for the price of the said ground, in the purchase of which, and in the buildings, it is recommended to the said Commissioners to be as frugal of the publick money as may be.

The Order of the Day, for taking into consideration the state of the Province, being read,

Ordered, That the same be referred for further consideration till to-morrow.

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

Thursday, December 28, 1775.

Convention met. All Members present, as on yesterday. The Proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Smith appeared in the House.

Mr. James Tilghman brings in, and delivers to Mr. President, a Report from the Committee appointed to consider what alterations and amendments are necessary in the regulation of the Militia of this Province, which was read the first time, and ordered to lie on the table.

On motion, Resolved, That the Council of Safety to be appointed by this Convention, be empowered to advance, on loan for two years, without interest, on bond with good security, any part of the one thousand Pounds appropriated by the last Convention, for erecting and working a Powder Mill, to such person, or persons, as will undertake, and give good security, for erecting and working the same;-such person or persons undertaking that such Mill shall be capable of manufacturing at least eight hundred pounds of Gunpowder per week, and that the Saltpetre which may belong to the publick, shall be there manufactured into Gunpowder, for a just and reasonable price; the same Powder Mill to be erected within fourteen, and not less than six miles from Baltimore town.

Upon reading a second time the Memorial and Depositions from Baltimore County Court,

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider of the truth of the facts therein set forth, and report their opinion thereon; and Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Hollyday, Mr. James Tilghman, Mr. Rumsey, and Mr. Thomas Johnson, were elected by ballot a Committee for that purpose.

Adjourned till three o'clock.

Post Meridiem. Convention met.

Mr. Chamberlaine brings in, and delivers to Mr. President, a Report from the Committee appointed to examine and report the returns of the Committees of Observation of persons in the several Counties of this Province, who have subscribed, or refused or neglected to subscribe, the Association directed by the last Convention, wbich was read the first time, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Order of the Day, for taking into consideration the state of the Province, being read,

Ordered, That the same be referred for further consideration till to-morrow.

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

Friday, December 29, 1775.

Convention met. All Members present, as on yesterday. The Proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Griffith appeared in the House.

Mr. Contee brings in, and delivers to Mr. President, a Report from the Committee appointed to examine the