On motion, Resolved, That no Account or Claim against this Colony shall be received without being first proved by the party making the demand, or other sufficient testimony, or attested by some Committee of Observation; or if the charge arises for the service of any part of the Militia of this Colony, that the time of their service be certified by the Brigadier-General of their District, or the account of the time they have been in actual service proved by a Field-Officer, Captain, or Commanding Officer of any detachment of Militia that has been or may be employed in the service of this Colony.

Mr. Done and Mr. Bishop appeared in the House.

Mr. John Kilty was elected Ensign of Captain Tillard’s Company of Militia for the Flying-Camp, in the room of Mr. John Gassaway, who resigned.

On motion, the question was put, That all Interest on Bonds or Contracts, except on Loan-Office Bonds, cease and determine during this time of publick distress? Carried in the negative.

FOR THE NEGATIVE.

FOR THE AFFIRMATIVE.

Adjourned till three o’clock.

Post Meridiem. Convention met.

A Petition from William Noke, late Sheriff of Anne Arundel County, was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

On motion of Mr. Hooe, the question was put, That Interest now due on all Debts or Contracts, or that shall become due, till a further regulation, except on Loan-Office Bonds, may be paid in Corn, Wheat, Tobacco, Flour, Hemp, or Cotton, at such prices as may be agreed upon between the creditor and debtor, or on their disagreement, at such prices as may be set by the Committee of Observation for the County where the debtor resides, such country produce to be offered or tendered by the debtor at the capital of the County where he resides, unless any other place of delivery is agreed upon by the parties?

The previous question was called for and put, Whether the above question be now put? Carried in the negative.

FOR THE NEGATIVE.

FOR THE AFFIRMATIVE.

The Convention proceeded to ballot for a Council of Safety, and John Hall, George Plater, Charles Carroll, Barrister, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Thomas B. Hands, Benjamin Rumsey, Thomas Smyth, James Tilghman, and Joseph Nicholson, Jun., Esquires, were duly elected for that purpose.

On reading and considering the Account and Letter of Amos Garrett, Supervisor of the Saltpetre Works in Har-ford County,

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to the said Amos Garrett the further sum of £50, on account of his Saltpetre Works aforesaid.

Whereas many Farmers and Planters are indebted in sums of Money bearing interest, and from there being no market for the Tobacco, Wheat, and other usual produce of their Farms and Plantations since the 10th day of September last, they have not been enabled to pay the interest accrued since that time, and from a continuance of the cause may probably continue disabled to pay the interest which may accrue on their debts for some time to come:

It is, therefore, Resolved, That all Interest which hath accrued since the 10th day of September last, or shall accrue before the 10th day of July, 1777, shall and may be payable in Indian Corn, Wheat, Tobacco, Flax, Hemp, or Cotton, or Linen, or Woollen Cloth, which was or shall be raised or manufactured by the party who shall offer to pay the same, or be received by any creditor in discharge of such interest so due from him as aforesaid, and in such of the said commodities or manufactures as such Committee on all circumstances shall think most reasonable, and therefore direct; and if the parties cannot agree on the price and place of delivery, then the Committee of Observation of the County where the debtor resides, may ascertain and fix the price of the commodity, the time when, and the place (within their County) where the delivery shall be; provided the said delivery be made before the 10th day of September next, after the said interest shall have accrued; and provided also that this Resolution shall extend only to private, and not to Loan-Office or other publick debts.

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

Saturday, July 6, 1775.

Convention met. All Members present as on yesterday, except Mr. Reeder, Mr. Ford, Mr. Stull, Mr. Baird, Mr. Sluby, Mr. Chamberlaine, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Chaille, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Handy. The Proceedings of yesterday were read.

On motion, Resolved, That no Ship-Carpenter employed in building Vessels for the service of the Continent, or this Colony, shall be compelled to attend his duty in the Militia, nor be liable to any fine for non-attendance during the time of his being employed in such service.

Mr. William Shircliff was appointed Ensign of Captain Robert Bowie’s Company of Militia for the Flying-Camp, in the room of Colmore Beans, who resigned.

On motion, Resolved, That any vacancy which may happen in the Militia raised by this Colony to compose the Flying-Camp, shall and may be filled up by the Council of Safety.

Resolved, That Mr. Contee, Mr. Beall, and Mr. Tolley, be a Committee, in the recess of Convention, to examine and report to the Council of Safety the state of the Accounts and Proceedings of the Commissioners of the Loan-Office; and that the Council be directed to order the Moneys, Books, and Papers, in that Office, to be packed up in proper chests, and removed, if they should think proper, to some place of security.

Mr. Daniel Bowie was appointed Captain of a Company in Colonel Smallwood’s Battalion of Regular forces, in the room of Captain Thomas Ewing.

On reading the Memorial of Jacob Brice,

Resolved, That a Commission issue to him as Adjuiant to the Battalion of Regular forces, and that he be entitled to pay as such from the time of his performing that duty, and that the pay of Adjutant be at the rate of twenty dollars per month.

On reading the Petition of the Society of Menonists and German Baptists:

Resolved, That the several Committees of Observation may, in their discretion, prolong the time or take security for the payment of any fine by them imposed for not enrolling in the Militia, and may remit the whole or any part of the fines by them assessed; and it is recommended to the Committees to pay particular attention, and to make a difference between such persons as may refuse from religious principles, or other motives.

On motion, Resolved, That the pay of the Drum-Major in the Regular service of this Colony be eight dollars per calendar month.

On motion, Resolved, That the Committee or Board appointed to cause a set of Books to be opened, and proper