Congress had been made with a view to lessen the influence which the Association drawn, entered into, and recommended by them, justly merited and had almost universally obtained; and it appearing to the Committee that such misrepresentations are made by artful, designing, and wicked men, to divide the people, and defeat the measures now wisely pursued for the preservation of American liberty,

Resolved, unanimously, That it is the duty of this Committee, and of every Member thereof, and that we will, collectively and separately, persevere to carry strictly into execution the Association of the Continental Congress, and enforce an observance of the same, and that any attempt to defeat such purpose will, with its author, be exposed to the publick.

The Congress, by the Third Article of the Association, having recommended the disuse of all East-India Tea, the Committee request that their constituents, in their several families, will strictly adhere to this Resolution; and, however difficult the disuse of any article which custom has rendered, familiar, and, to many, almost necessary, may be, yet they are induced to hope the ladies will cheerfully acquiesce in this self-denial, and thereby evince to the world a love to their friends, their posterity, and country.

A very extraordinary arrangement having been lately made in the Magistracy of this County, the Committee, reflecting on the conclusions which may probably be drawn from it in distant places, to the disadvantage of the gentlemen superseded, cheerfully embrace the opportunity afforded by the present meeting, to testify in favour of their conduct while they were in office. From personal acquaintance we know them to have been irreproachable in private, faithful and impartial in publick life, and deservedly entitled to the thanks of the whole County for the conscientious discharge of the trust reposed in them.

Resolved, therefore, unanimously, That this Committee ought, and we hereby do in our own names, and in the names of our constituents, sincerely thank those worthy gentlemen, whose abrupt dismission, with all the circumstances attending it, does them the greatest honour. They return to a private station with the general approbation of the County, and the pleasing satisfaction of having honourably acquitted themselves of their obligations during their continuance in office. Their dismission is a real loss; it is the more to be regretted, as from the manner of it, we can hardly expect that any of equal worth and character will hereafter be prevailed on to undertake the troublesome, unprofitable employment, now rendered distasteful to men of independent spirit and firmness, and evidently exposing them to unmerited insult.

April 5, 1775.

Captain Thomas Rowland, of the Brig Betsey, from Guernsey, addressed to Mr. John Smith, appeared, and reported, on oath, that he has not imported in said vessel any goods, wares, or merchandise, contrary to the Association of the Continental Congress, and subscribed the same.

Committee met, April 10, 1775:

Present: Samuel Purviance, Chairman, John Smith, William Lux, Benjamin Levy, Isaac Vanbibber, William Smith, John Merryman, William Spear, Hercules Courtenay, S. C. Davy, Captain Hender" son, Thomas Elliot, Richard Lemmon, James Cox, William Buchanan, John Boyd, Clerk.

Captain William Woud, of the Snow Betsey, from Portugal, appeared before the Committee, and declared, on oath, that he has not imported any article contrary to the Association, and subscribed the same.

On motion, Resolved, That as the Fairs usually held at Baltimore Town are hurtful to the morals of the people, and are a species of extravagance and dissipation which are forbid by the Continental Congress, that the Committee of Correspondence be directed to give publick notice to the Inhabitants of the Town and County, that the Committee advise them not to erect any Booths, or be in any manner concerned in countenancing the holding said Fair during the continuance of our publick distractions.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Committee be directed to prepare and settle the Account of Moneys arising from the sale of Goods for the use of the Poor of Boston, and lay it before the Committee at their next meeting.

Committee met, Monday, April 11, 1775:

Present: Samuel Purviance, in the Chair, Robert Alexander, Thomas Harrison, William Smith, John Merryman, Daniel Hughes, Benjamin Griffith, John Smith, John Boyd, Walter Tolley, Andrew Buchanan, James Storrett, William Spear, George Woolsey, Benjamin Levy, Mayberry Helms, Archibald Buchanan, Thomas G. Howard, William Lux, Clerk pro tempore.

James Scott, master of the Brig Dolphin, from Boston, appeared, and reported his vessel, and look the Oath prescribed.

Thomas Wood, master of the Brig Wren, from London, appeared, and reported his vessel, and took the Oath prescribed.

On motion made, for appointing a Clerk to this Committee; and on deliberating on the matter, it was thought to be most advisable to nominate four gentlemen, to serve alternately, each a month. Doctor John Boyd, Robert Alexander, William Lux, and Jeremiah T. Chase, were nominated and appointed accordingly.

WILLIAM LUX, Clerk.

Committee met, three o'clock, P. M., April 17, 1775:

Present: John Merryman, William Smith, John Boyd, William Neill, David Stewart, Benjamin Levy, Isaac Vanbibber, John Crocket, Hercules Courlenay.

Henry Woolf, master of the Sloop Two-Brothers, appeared, and reported his vessel, and took the Oath prescribed.

Alexander Ferguson, master of the Brig William, appeared, reported his cargo, and took the Oath prescribed.