belongs stands numbered on the proceedings of Convention in December.

On reading the Petition of Turbutt Betton, Jun., of Queen Anne’s County,

Ordered, That the Fine imposed on him be not levied, and that his Petition be referred to the Council of Safety to take order therein, and to enforce obedience to the authority of this Convention.

Convention adjourns till tomorrow morning, nine o’clock.

Friday, July 5, 1776.

Convention met. All Members present as on yesterday, except Mr. Turbutt Wright and Mr. Currer. The Proceedings of yesterday were read.

Mr. J. Tilghman appeared in the House.

On motion, Resolved, That Colonel Henry Hollingsworth make two hundred Gun-barrels, of at least one inch in the bore, and three feet six inches in length, drawbored; and that Mr. Elisha Winters mount, and stock, and fit, and complete the same with Locks and Swivels, as soon as may be, for the publick use, for which they shall be paid a reasonable price.

On motion of Mr. Samuel Chase, (in obedience as he conceived to the Instructions of Anne Arundel County,) the question was put, That all publick and private interest of Moneys cease and determine during this time of general distress, such Moneys only to be excepted as have been actually lent within the three last months, which shall be proved by the lender to have been lent within the time above-mentioned, to the satisfaction of such persons as shall be appointed to determine the same, and that country produce be a lawful tender for the interest of the same, at the market price, to be regulated by two unexceptionable freeholders, upon oath, one to be appointed by each party? Carried in the negative.

FOR THE NEGATIVE.

FOR THE AFFIRMATIVE.

On motion, Resolved, That the Committees of Observation in the several Counties of this Province forbear to require of any non-Associator any bond, or further to proceed against any non-Associator for not giving bond according to the Resolutions of December last, this Convention having made more effectual provisions for the publick security.

On motion, the question was put, That no person or persons in the community be executed for the payment of any debts, publick or private, unless it is left in the option of the debtor to pay in the produce of the country at a reasonable price, to be ascertained by the County Committees respectively? Carried in the negative.

On motion, the question was put, That a sum of Money, not exceeding £500, for Kent County, be issued from the publick Treasury, for the purpose of answering the present necessities of the Pensioners, Kent County aforesaid giving sufficient security for the return of said Money, as soon as a change of the times will admit of it? Carried in the negative.

The Convention took into their consideration a Report from the Committee appointed to report on the establishment of Manufactories.

And thereupon, Resolved, That £300, without interest, be advanced out of the publick Treasury to Michael Cocendofer, of Frederick County, for the purpose of carrying on a Stocking Manufactory, he giving bond, with good security, to repay the same in fifteen months from the date of contract, either in money or good merchantable fulled Stockings, at such rates as the Convention or Council of Safety shall determine, in the following proportions, to wit: One-third thereof in five months, one other third in ten months, and the remainder in fifteen months from the date of contract.

That £400, without interest, be advanced to John McFadon, of Baltimore County, he giving bond, with good security, to carry on a Linen Manufactory, and to erect a Bleaching-Mill, and to repay the same in ten months from the date of said bond, in money, or such brown or bleached Linen as the Convention or Council of Safety may direct, and at such rates and of such qualities as they may determine, in the proportions following, to wit: One-third thereof in four months, one other third in six months, and the remaining third in ten months from the date of contract.

That £1000 be advanced gut of the publick Treasury to Robert Riddle, of Baltimore County, to enable him to carry on a Linen Manufactory and Bleach-Field, he giving bond, with good security, to repay the same in thirteen months from the date of said bond, either in money or such brown or white Linen as the Convention or Council of Safety may direct, and at such value or price as they may set.

On motion, Resolved, That the balance of the Money taken out of the Loan-Office by act of Assembly, for opening, straightening, and repairing such parts of the Roads from Frederick to Baltimore, and from Frederick to Annapolis, which lie in Anne Arundel County, be paid by the Supervisors into the Loan-Office, where the same shall be kept; and that what may then remain in the hands of the Supervisors, as well as what may have been collected by the Sheriff, and yet remains in his hands, be applied in aid of the County charges of Anne Arundel County.

Mr. Beall brings in and delivers to Mr. President a Report from the Committee appointed to report on the establishment of Manufactories; which was read a first and second time, and thereupon the Convention, taking the same into consideration,

Resolved, That £500 be advanced to Thomas Ringgold, of Kent County, for the term of one year, without interest, he giving bond, with good security, to repay the same within the time aforesaid, either in cash, or in Linen, Woollen, or Cotton Cloth, and in such proportions and of such qualities as the Convention or Council of Safety, for the time being, may direct, and at the rates and prices the said Convention or Council of Safety may set thereon.

On motion of Mr. Samuel Chase, (in obedience, as he conceived, to the Instructions of Anne Arundel County,) the question was put, That all Rents be paid, and shall be received, in country produce, at the same rates which such commodities bore at the time such contract was made or renewed, and the same to be set by the Committees of Observation until other persons are appointed? Carried in the negative.

FOR THE NEGATIVE.

FOR THE AFFIRMATIVE.

On motion, Resolved, That the Council of Safety be empowered to lend and advance to Robert Wood, of Frederick County, £300 of the publick money, on his giving bond, with good security, to lay out and expend the same in erecting a Sheeting and Slitting-Mill, and to repay the same money into the publick Treasury within ten months from the time it shall be drawn out.

On reading and considering a Petition from Reuben Meriweather and others, inhabitants of Anne Arundel County, praying leave to form themselves into an Independent Rifle Company,

Resolved, That the same be granted, and that Commissions issue, when the Company is completed to eighty men, to such persons as shall be appointed by the Council of Safety.