their liberty and property, is not repugnant to the oaths of allegiance.

Resolved, unanimously, That Subscriptions be opened in each Hundred in this County, under the directions of the Committee of the respective Hundreds, for raising contributions to supply the necessities and alleviate the distresses of our oppressed brethren of Boston.

Resolved, That William Goodwin, Richard Moale, William Buchanan, and William Lux, be, and are hereby empowered to purchase three thousand pounds of Powder, and twelve thousand pounds of Lead, on the credit of the subscriptions for the use of this County.

Resolved, That the Committee meet at the Court-House, on Wednesday, the 8th of February next, to produce their several Subscriptions.Ordered, That these Proceedings be published in the Maryland Gazette, the Baltimore Journal, and in Handbills, to be circulated through the County.

Signed per order: JEREMIAH T.CHASE Clerk.

At a meeting of the Committee of Observation appointed for Baltimore County, at the Court-House, in Baltimore Town, on Tuesday, the 17th of January, 1775:

Present: Captain Charles Ridgely, in the Chair, Jeremiah Townley Chase, Clerk, Samuel Purvianeo, John Moale, Thomas Harrison, Thomas Sollers, Andrew Buchanan, Robert Alexander, John Mercer, William Smith, Nicholas Jones, Isaac Grist, Mark Alexander, William Randall, Gerrard Hopkins, Philip Rogers, Dixon Stansbury, Jun., Thomas Johnston, Benjamin Griffith, Charles Ridgely, Son of John, John Cradock, Walter Tolley, Jun., James Calhoun, Benjamin Nicholson, John Deaver, Doctor John Boyd, George Lindenbcrger, Darby Lux, William Worthington, William Wilkinson, Jesse Bussey, Daniel Shaw, James Gittings, Barnet Eichelberger, Hersules Courtenay, Mordecai Gist, Job Garretson, James Croxall, John Cockey, Ezekiel Towson, George Mathews, Thomas Cradock, Richard Cromwell, Thomas Rutter, James Bosley, William Cromwell, Doctor Charles F. Wiesenthall, Thomas Ewing, William Lux, Richard Moale, Archibald Buchanan, William Spear, John Smith, George Woolsey, David McMechen, Mayberry Helms, and Nathan Cromwell.

Information being made to the Committee by Mr. Benjamin Nicholson, that the Reverend Mr. William Edmiston had publickly asserted, that all persons who mustered were guilty of treason, and that such of them as had taken the oath of allegiance, and took up arms, were guilty of perjury; and that the said William Edmiston had approved publickly of the Quebeck Bill; the Committee were of opinion that such declarations have a tendency to defeat the measures recommended for the preservation of America and her liberties, and that it is their duty to take notice of persons guilty of such offences.

Whereupon, Resolved, unanimously, That this Committee will meet at two o'clock, P. M., and that the Reverend Mr. Edmiston have notice to attend.

A copy of the charge was made out by the Clerk, and enclosed to Mr. Edmiston, with notice to attend.

The Committee met according to adjournment, Tuesday, two o'clock, P. M.

Present, the same Members as were in the forenoon.

The Reverend Mr. Edmiston attended, agreeable to the notice given him, and requesting an indulgence of two hours to prepare his Answer, the same was unanimously granted.

The Reverend Mr. Edmiston appeared, and delivered to the Chairman his Answer in writing, as follows:

"After maturely considering the charges exhibited against me before the Committee, I observe, in answer to them, that as mankind frequently differ in sentiment, and as no questions are agitated with greater warmth and intemperate zeal than those in politicks, so expressions are often used, and sometimes hastily adopted, at such limes, which, in the cool moments of reflection, men would omit or disavow.

" That I spoke the words mentioned in the charge, is true; that they were spoken in warmth, is equally certain. With respect to that part of the charge containing an accusation of perjury and treason upon those who had taken the oaths to the Government, I would beg leave to explain myself. What I meant had a reference to the political opinions which prevail, and was founded conditionally; that is, they who do not apprehend a departure, on the side of Government, from fundamental express stipulations, could not, consistently with their oaths, arm or prepare for war; but I did not, and do not mean, to charge any person with perjury or treason, who really thinks that his rights are, or may be so far invaded, as to justify resistance. As my political sentiments are different from what most people think, at this time, concerning these matters, particularly as they are disagreeable to the gentlemen of the County, and may, contrary to my intention, have the unhappy tendency of spreading confusion among the inhabitants of my Parish, I solemnly promise to avoid giving any just cause of offence, by propagating, hereafter, any opinion opposite to the decisions of the Continental Congress or Provincial Convention. And, upon the most serious reflection, I disapprove of the Quebeck Bill, as it establishes the Roman Catholick religion in the Province of Quebeck, abolishes the equitable system of English laws, and erects a tyranny there, to the great danger (from so total a dissimilarity of religion, law, and Government) of the neighbouring British Colonies, by the assistance of whose blood and treasure the said country was conquered.

" I tenderly love my country. I wish for her prosperity, and devoutly pray that the present contest may terminate to her advantage. And I sincerely hope that brotherly love will bury in oblivion all animosity between me and my parishioners, with whom to live in harmony and peace, is my warmest wish.

"WILLIAM EDMISTON

"January 17, 1775."

The above being read, and considered, was accepted.

Ordered, That the same be published.

On motion, Ordered, That James Dalgleish be required to attend this Committee to answer a complaint made against him for saying, that the King ought to be damned if he repealed the late oppressive Acts respecting America, and that the said Acts were equitable.

Ordered, That George Lux deliver said notice according to the above notice

At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for Baltimore County, on Monday, the 23d January, 1775:

Present: Samuel Purviance, in tho Chair, Jeremiah Townley Chase, Clerk, Andrew Buchanan, Robert Alexander, William Smith, Doctor John Boyd, James Calhoun, John Merryman, Jun., William Spear, Isaac Grist, Mark Alexander, George Lindenberger, William Buchanan, John Smith, Benjamin Griffith, John Deaver, Barnet Eichelberger.

Resolved, It is the opinion of the Committee of Observation for this County, that on the sale of any Goods imported contrary to the Association of the Continental Congress, no Receipt ought to be given for the money raised for the relief of the Poor of Boston, and the same ought to be paid into the hands of the Treasurer.

Ordered, That Mr. James Christie and Mr. Neil have notice of this Resolve.

Ordered, That the Committee of each Hundred hand about a Subscription Paper to raise Money for the purchase of Arms and Ammunition, collect the same, and pay it into the hands of the Treasurer.

Resolved, That the Money arising from the Subscription in the several Hundreds in Baltimore Town, be laid out in the purchase of Arms and Ammunition; and that the, same be lodged in a Magazine or Repository, and there kept until the exigence of our affairs shall make it necessary to deliver them out for actual service.

Mr. Andrew Buchanan is appointed Treasurer for Baltimore Town, to receive the Moneys that may be raised for purchasing Arms and Ammunition.

At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for Baltimore County, on Monday, the 30th January, 1775:

Present: Samuel Purviance, in the Chair, Teremiah Townley Chase, Clerk, William Buchanan, John Smith, William Spear, Robert Alexander, Mark Alexander, James Calhoun, Richard Moale, William Smith, Francis Sanderson.

Mr. Merryman, who furnished Mr. Neill and Mr. Christie with the Resolve of the Committee respecting receipts on the sale of Goods, passed at the last meeting, reports, that Mr. Neill will pay the money as required, but that Mr. Christie refuses to pay without a receipt is given, or a copy of the Proceedings relative to that matter.

Whereupon, the Chairman was desired to write and send the following Letter to Mr. Christie: