Resolved, That the said Oaths be dispensed with during the said differences; and that the persons already appointed, or who may hereafter be appointed, do qualify themselves for their trusts by taking the respective Oaths of office to which they are or may be appointed; and all persons concerned, either in administering or taking the said Oath of office, independent of the said Oaths to the Government, may rest assured that proper care shall be taken, upon the settlement of those differences, (an event we most ardently wish for,) to indemnify them against any penalties directed by any laws to be inflicted on persons acting as aforesaid without having first taken said Oaths.

Ordered, That Captain John Bonnett’s Company of Militia, in the Upper District of Frederick County, be assigned a Company of Light Infantry to Colonel John Stuffs Battalion, and that the Council of Safety issue Commissions to the Officers of said Company.

A Memorial from the Baltimore Independent Company of Militia, praying leave to continue and be considered as an Independent Company of Militia, was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Order of the Day, for taking into consideration the late intercepted Letters to Governour Eden, the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, and of the Council of Safety of this Province, being read, the Convention resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to consider of the same; Mr. Plater in the chair.

After some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Plater reported: That the Committee had, according to order, taken into their consideration the late intercepted Letters to Governour Eden, the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, and of the Council of Safety of this Province thereupon; but not being able to go through the same, had directed him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Convention will, in the afternoon, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to consider further of the said Letters and Proceedings.

Adjourned till three o’clock.

Post Meridiem. Convention met.

The Petitions of Seth Paddock and Daniel Adams, of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, were severally read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Order of the Day, for taking into consideration the late intercepted Letters to Governour Eden, the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, and of the Council of Safety of this Province thereupon, being read,

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

Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Thursday, May 16, 1776.

Convention met. All Members present as on yesterday. The Proceedings of yesterday were read.

The Petition of Hunlock Palfrey, of New-England, and a Petition from the freemen belonging to the Twenty-Ninth Battalion of Militia, were severally read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Nicholas Harwood was appointed Assistant Clerk to the Convention.

Ordered, That he qualify himself as such by taking the oath of office and secrecy, as directed to be taken by the Clerk.

On motion, Resolved, That a Committee of five persons be appointed to consider of and report proper alterations or additions to the Resolutions of Convention for encouraging the making Marine Salt.

And Mr. T. Johnson, Mr. Plater, Mr. Chaille, Mr. Handy, Mr. Hooper, and Mr. Jordan, were elected by ballot a Committee for that purpose.

On motion, Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider and report proper alterations or additions to the Resolutions of Convention for erecting a Powder-Mill; and that the same Committee also examine the Accounts of the Supervisors of Saltpetre Works, and report thereon.

And Mr. T. Johnson, Mr. Rumsey, Mr. Ringgold, Mr. Gilpin, Mr. Hooper, and Mr. Hooe, were elected by ballot a Committee for that purpose.

Certificate of Mr. Harwood’s qualification was produced and filed.

On reading a second time the Proceedings of the Committee of Calvert County, on the complaint of Joseph Wilkinson against James Weems,

Resolved, That the same be taken into consideration on Tuesday next, at nine o’clock in the morning; and that the Clerk transmit copies of the above Resolution to the said Joseph Wilkinson and James Weems, respectively.

On motion, Resolved, That one Shilling per day be allowed as a Ration for the Militia of this Province, when called into actual service.

On reading a second time the Memorial of the Baltimore Independent Company, now commanded by Captain John Sterrett,

Resolved, That the same be granted.

On reading a second time the Recommendation of FieldOfficers, and Petition for Commissions for said Officers, from the Captains Gist Vaughan, Micajah Merryman, John Stevenson, (son ofEdward,) John Forster, Stephen Gill, (son of John,) John Talbott, Edward Cockey, and John Cockey,

Resolved, unanimously, That the same be rejected.

Mr. Mackall has leave of absence for a few days.

Adjourned till three o’clock.

Post Meridiem. Met according to adjournment.

The Petition of Charles Lansdale, of Prince George’s County, was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. George Brent, a Member for that District of Frederick County which lies to the west of Licking- Creek, appeared and took his seat in the House.

On hearing and considering the Petition of James Hutchings, and the allegations and proofs offered in support thereof, as well as the allegations and proofs offered by Samuel Purviance, in defence of his conduct;

Resolved, That the said Samuel Purviance acted in a publick character, and that the pressing emergency on which he thus acted renders his conduct blameless.

Resolved, That the said Samuel Purviance be allowed all just and reasonable expenses attending the complaint exhibited against him by the said James Hutchings.

On motion, Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to ascertain the same; and Mr. Plater, Mr. Beall, and Mr. J. T. Chase, were elected by ballot a Committee for that purpose.

A Petition from John McFadon, of Baltimore Town, relative to the establishment of a Linen Manufactory, was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Order of the Day, for taking into consideration the late intercepted Letters to Governour Eden, the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, and of the Council of Safety of this Province thereupon, being read,

Ordered, That the same be referred for further consideration till Saturday next.

Convention adjourns till Saturday morning, nine o’clock.

Saturday, May 18, 1776.

Convention met. All Members present as on Thursday, except Mr. Mackall and Mr. Smith. The Proceedings of Thursday were read.

A Letter from James Duane, Esquire, enclosing Resolutions of Congress, and a Memorial from the freemen of North Susquehannah Hundred, in Cecil County, were severally read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Griffith brings in, and delivers to Mr. President, a Report from the Committee appointed to consider of the several Petitions relative to proceedings of Committees of Observation against Non-Enrollers; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Griffith, Mr. Currer, and Mr. Letherbury, have leave of absence.

The Convention, agreeable to the Order of the Day, took into their consideration the charges reported against Samuel Purviance, Jun., of Baltimore Town, and on hearing Mr. Purviance, and the several witnesses by him produced,