We, the Delegates of Maryland in Convention assembled, do declare, that the King of Great Britain has violated his compact with this people, and that they owe no allegiance to him; we have therefore thought it just and necessary to empower our Deputies in Congress to join with a majority of the United Colonies in declaring them free and independent States, in framing such further Confederation between them, in making foreign alliances, and in adopting such other measures as shall be judged necessary for the preservation of their liberties: provided, the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal polity and government of this Colony be reserved to the people thereof. We have also thought proper to call a new Convention, for the purpose of establishing a Government in this Colony. No ambitious views, no desire of independence, induced the people of Maryland to form an union with the other Colonies. To procure an exemption from Parliamentary taxation, and to continue to the Legislatures of these Colonies the sole and exclusive right of regulating their internal polity, was our original and only motive. To maintain inviolate our liberties, and to transmit them unimpaired to posterity, was our duty and first wish; our next, to continue connected with, and dependant on, Great Britain. For the truth of these assertions, we appeal to that Almighty Being who is emphatically styled the Searcher of hearts, and from whose omniscience nothing is concealed. Relying on His divine protection and affiance, and trusting to the justice of our cause, we exhort and conjure every virtuous citizen to join cordially in defence of our common rights, and in maintenance of the freedom of this and her sister Colonies.

Adjourned till three o’clock.

Post Meridiem. Convention met.

The President laid before the Convention several Letters from the Honourable the President of the Congress, of the 25th and 29th of June, and of the 4th of this instant, and sundry Resolutions of that respectable body, which were taken into consideration,

And thereupon, Ordered, That Colonel Smallwood immediately proceed with his Battalion to the City of Philadelphia, and put himself under the Continental Officer commanding there, and be subject to the further orders of the Congress.

Ordered, That the Independent Companies stationed in Talbot, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and St. Mary’s Counties, immediately proceed to Philadelphia, and put themselves under the command of Colonel Smallwood, subject to the further orders of the Congress.

Ordered, That Vessels be immediately procured to transport such of the said Troops as are on the Western-Shore to the head of Elk.

Resolved, That the Council of Safety take such measures as they may think best, to supply the said Troops with Carriages and Provisions on their march to Philadelphia.

Resolved, That the said Battalion and Independent Companies be deducted from the number of Militia required by Congress of this Colony to compose the Flying-Camp.

Ordered, That copies of the Letter from Congress, of the 4th instant, and of the above Resolutions, be transmitted, by express, to the several Committees in each County, and that they be earnestly requested to give every assistance in their power to the immediate enrolling of the Militia Companies, and enabling them to march.

Resolved, That the Council of Safety direct such and so many of the said Militia Companies to march to the City of Annapolis, Baltimore Town, Talbot, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and St. Mary’s Counties, as will supply the number and places of the said Battalion and Independent Companies; and that till the places of the Regular Troops ordered from Annapolis and Baltimore Town can be supplied by the Militia to be raised as aforesaid, the Council of Safety direct three Companies of the neighbouring Militia to march into Annapolis, and two Companies of the neighbouring Militia to march into Baltimore Town.

Resolved, That the Continental Officer who may command the Flying-Camp is requested, if the service will permit, to separate the Corps of Regulars from the Corps of Militia to be supplied by this Province, to prevent any ground of discontent about rank.

Resolved, That this Province will raise two Companies of Riflemen and four Companies of Germans, according to the requisitions of Congress in their Resolutions of the 27th day of June last.

That one of the said Companies of Riflemen be raised in Harford County, two of the said Companies of Germans be raised in Baltimore County, and one of the Companies of Riflemen and two of the Companies of Germans be raised in Frederick County.

That to expedite the raising and levying the said Troops, the Committee of Observation for Harford County recommend the Officers of the Company to be raised in that County; the Committee of Observation for Baltimore County, the Officers of the Companies to be raised in that County; and that two of the Committee of Observation from each of the Districts of Frederick County, who are to meet at Fred-ericktown on Friday, the 12th day of this instant, July, or the major part of them so met, recommend the Officers of the Companies of Germans to be raised in that County, and also the Officers of the Rifle Company to be raised there, except the Captain.

That Lemuel Barrett be Captain of the Rifle Company to be raised in Frederick County, if he will act as such.

That each of the Companies of Germans consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Drummer, one Fifer, and seventy-six Privates; and each of the Rifle Companies of one Captain, three Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Drummer, one Fifer, and seventy-six Privates; and that the Officers being approved, be appointed and certified to the Congress by the Council of Safety.

That each of the Officers, being nominated by the Committees, have Warrants for inlisting, and that each of the Officers inlist the following numbers, to wit: a Captain thirty, First and Second Lieutenant twenty, Third Lieutenant, or Ensign, sixteen; and that, by order of the Council of Safety, the said Qfficers draw out of the publick Treasury moneys sufficient to discharge the bounties.

The Committee for that purpose appointed, bring in and deliver to Mr. President the following Report:

“Your Committee, appointed to examine and price the Linen brought in by Edward Parker, do report, that he has brought in six hundred and eleven yards, valued at 3s. 6d. per yard, and four hundred and twenty-seven and a quarter yards, at 2s. 3d. per yard, common currency. All which is submitted to the consideration of the honourable House.

“THOMAS CONTEE, Chairman Committee.”

Which was read and agreed to.

Whereas this Convention hath resolved, “that the several Companies of Militia intended to be raised for the purpose of forming a Flying-Camp for the protection of the Middle Colonies, shall be mustered and passed by some one of the Field-Officers of the Counties where such Companies shall be raised, and the Captains shall return two copies of his Muster-Roll, certified by the Field-Officer who musters the men, to the Council of Safety:” And whereas no Field-Officers are appointed in Kent County: It is, therefore,

Resolved, That the Committee of Observation for Kent County are hereby authorized to appoint a Militia commissioned Officer in said County, who is empowered to muster and pass such Companies in as full and ample manner as if the same was done by a Field-Officer.

On motion, Resolved, That the Commissioners appointed by a Resolve of the Convention of this Province, in December last, for the purpose of establishing a Gun-lock Manufactory in Fredericktown, in Frederick County, or in the neighbourhood thereof, for which purpose £1,200 was appropriated, do lay before the next Convention, on the third day of their sitting, a full and clear account of their proceeding;; in the premises, together with state of the said Manufactory.

On reading and considering the Report from the Committee appointed to report on the Petition of John Brewer, of the City of Annapolis,

Resolved, That the Fine imposed on the said John Brewer by the Committee of Observation for Anne Arundel County be remitted, and his Fire-Arms returned to him.

On motion, Resolved, That all Petitions, Applications, and Reports to Convention this present session, and all Petitions,