may have some influence towards a reunion with Great Britain.

“If Commissioners have arrived, or should soon arrive, it is thought it will not be long before the re-establishment of the old Government, or a total separation takes place. The Governour’s station may require a conduct very different from his personal inclinations. Of the latter, the Convention has no doubt or suspicion.

“Therefore, the request is, that the Governour will promise not to take an active hostile part; or, till the event o the Commissioners is known, that he will not correspond with Administration, or those who may be carrying on hostilities in America, directly or indirectly.

“If the Governour thinks himself at liberty to enter into such engagement, it is much the inclination of the Convention that he should continue in the Province, in his station. ”

To which his Excellency postponed giving an answer till after the arrival of the next post, when he did it to the following effect: (No. 13.)

“GENTLEMEN: I have considered the application made to me from the Convention; and as it would be inconsistent with the duties of my station as Governour to continue my residence here on the terms proposed, I intend, as soon as an opportunity shall offer, to leave this Province and return to England, if the Convention hold the terms they have proposed to be indispensable on their part; and trust I shall meet with no obstruction or impediment from any persons in removing myself and such of ray property as I may find it convenient to take with me.

“Disagreeable as I find my situation to be, and as it may appear to others, considering the occasion and result of the inquiries of this Convention, I shall still continue most sincerely to wish for the welfare and prosperity of Maryland, and, consequently, for a reconciliation with, and constitutional dependancy on, Great Britain.

“My past conduct in this Government has, I am informed, met with much approbation. The same line by which it has been hitherto governed, were I continuing in that station, would continue to direct my future conduct. ”

Messrs. Carroll, Hollyday, Goldsborough, Johnson, Tilghman, and Paca, were the gentlemen who made the above-mentioned application to the Governour, and to whom he delivered this answer; which produced the following Resolves and Addresses: (No. 14.)

“Whereas, by a late intercepted letter from Lord George Germaine, one of the Secretaries of State, to his Excellency the Governour, it appears that a great armament of land and sea forces was in readiness to proceed to the Southward, in his Lordship’s expressions, ‘in order to attempt the restoration of legal Government in that part of America’ but in effect to invade and subdue the Southern Colonies; which armament was to proceed in the first place to North-Carolina, ‘and from thence either to South-Carolina or Virginia, as circumstances of greater or less advantage should point out; if to the latter, it might have very important consequences to this Province; ’ and, therefore, in the said letter, his Excellency is called on well to consider of every means by which he may, in conjunction with Lord Dunmore, give facility and assistance to the operations of the said armament:

“And whereas the Governour must, if he remains in the exercise of the powers of Government, fulfil and execute the instructions of Administration, or hazard the displeasure of the King, which it cannot be expected he will do:

“And whereas, by act of Assembly of this Province, the powers of Government, in the absence of the Governour, devolve upon the President of the Council, and therefore the Governour’s departure cannot occasion a dissolution or suspension of the present established form of Government within this Province, which this Convention doth not think ought now to be changed: Therefore,

“Resolved, That it be signified to the Governour that the publick quiet and safety, in the judgment of this Convention, require that he leave this Province, and that he is at full liberty to depart peaceably with his effects.

“Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to wait on the Governour, and deliver him copies of the above Resolutions, together with the following Address, to wit:

“To His Excellency ROBERT EDEN, Esquire, Governour of MARYLAND.

“MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: We are commanded by the Convention to wait upon your Excellency, and to communicate to you the resolutions they have this day entered into; and we are instructed to assure, your Excellency that the Convention entertains a favourable sense of your conduct, relative to the affairs of America, since the unhappy differences have subsisted between Great Britain and the United Colonies, as far as the same hath come to their knowledge, and of their real wishes for your return, to resume the Government of this Province, when we shall happily be restored to peace, and that connection with Great Britain, the interruption and suspension of which have filled the mind of every good man with the deepest regret.

“From the disposition your Excellency hath manifested to promote the real interest of both countries, the Convention is induced to entertain the warmest hopes and expectations that, upon your arrival in England, you will represent the temper and principles of the people of Maryland with the same candour you have hitherto shown, and that you will exert your endeavours to promote a reconciliation, upon terms that may be secure and honourable both to Great Britain and America. ”

“The President, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Paca, Mr. Plater, and Mr. Hollyday, were elected by ballot a Committee accordingly.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“G. DUVALL, Clerk.”

To which his Excellency returned no answer, but received assurances that he might send down to the Capes for a man-of-war, having engaged, by letter to Mr. Carroll, (viz: No. 15,) that he should commit no hostilities whilst up for him; and which Letter is as follows:

“SIR: On a perusal of the address to me yesterday, I don’t find it requires any answer; nor do I understand that any was expected. Anything I could say might be thought too little here, and would be thought too much elsewhere. I just trouble you with this to mention a circumstance or two that have occurred to me, to which some attention may prevent disagreeable occurrences.

“I am going to send down the bay to inquire after a vessel for England, and ray boat, with Mr. S., will, on that account, sail with the first fair wind. I must request a pass, to protect her from the Provincial and Virginia cruisers.

“Another of the circumstances above alluded to is, the present situation of those cruisers; any sinister accident from the King’s ships arising at this time to them, or soon after my sending down, would, in the phrensy of men’s minds, be imputed to intelligence from me, notwithstanding my assurances of my confining Mr. S. and the boatmen solely to the errand I send them on. This you might remedy, by ordering them up the bay till I am gone; and in that case will pledge myself that such man-of-war that may come to escort me through the Virginia part of the bay shall commit no hostilities in this Province. But if they must remain below, I cannot be answerable for what may happen to them.

“The forces are at the Capes, and I propose writing to Captain George Montague, and giving him the trouble of me, till I take my departure from the Capes. One of your look-out boats might sail with mine, and carry instructions to Captain Nicholson, or my boat shall deliver your despatches, if she can see them in her way down the bay. I am the more solicitous to settle this point, as I am desirous to leave the Province on the most friendly terms, and in as much peace as the times will admit.

“Requesting your sentiments on these matters, and the pass above-mentioned for the Friendship schooner boat, George Wilkes, mulatto, skipper, I am. ”

His Excellency’s boat went down on the 26th ultimo, and returned on the 31st, with the following from Captain Hammond, who is Commander of the Squadron on this station. (No. 16, viz:)

“On his Majesty’s service. To Robert Eden, Esq., Governour of his Majesty’s Province of Maryland, Annapolis. By favour of Robert Smith, Esq.