the trouble or expense of collecting it-without colonies of entering into agreements of non-im being constantly disturbed by complaints of griev-portation and non-exportation. We are fully conances which she cannot justify and will not redress vinced, that such agreements would withhold very In case of war, or in any emergency of distress to large supplies from Great Britain, and no words her, we shall also be ready and willing to contri can describe our contempt and abhorrence of those bute all aids within our power: and we solemnly colonies, if any such there are, who, from a sordid declare, that on such occasions, if we or our pos- and ill-judged attachment to their own immediate terity shall refuse, neglect or decline thus to profit, would pursue that, to the injury of their contribute, it will be a mean and manifest viola- country, in this great struggle for all the blessings tion of a plain duty, and a weak and wicked deser- of liberty. It would appear to us a most wasteful tion of the true interests of this province, which frugality, that would lose every important possesever have been and must be bound up in the pros- sion by too strict an attention to small things, and perity of our mother country. Our union, founded lose also even these at the last. For our part, we on mutual compacts and mutual benefits, will be will cheerfully make any sacrifice, when necessary, indissoluble, at least more firm, than an union per- to preserve the freedom of our country But other petually disturbed by disputed right and retorted considerations have weight with us. We wish injuries. every mark of respect to be paid to his majesty's administration. We have been taught from our youth to entertain tender and brotherly affections for our fellow subjects at home. The interruption of our commerce must distress great numbers of them. This we earnestly desire to avoid. We therefore request, that the deputies you shall appoint may be instructed to exert themselves, at the congress, to induce the members of it to con

SECONDLY. If all the terms abovementioned can. not be obtained, it is our opinion, that the measures adopted by the congress for our relief should never be relinquished or intermitted, until those relating to the troops-internal legislation-imposition of taxes or duties hereafter-the 35th of Henry the 8th, chapter the 2d-the extension of admiralty courts,-the ports of Boston, and the province of Massachuse ts Bay, are obtained.-sent to make a full and precise state of grievances, Every modification or qualification of these points, in our judgment, shall be inadmissible. To obtain them, we think it may be prudent to settle a revenue as abovementioned, and to satisfy the EastIndia company.

THIRDLY. If neither of these plans should be ageed to, in congress, but some other of a similar nature shall be framed, though on the terms of a revenue and satisfaction to the East-India company, and though it shall be agreed by the congress to admit no modification or qualification in the terms they shall insist on, we desire your deputies may be instructed to concur with the other deputies in it; and we will accede to, and carry it into execution as far as we can.

and a decent yet firm claim of redress, and to wait the event before any other step is taken. It is our opinion, that persons should be appointed and sent home to present this state and claim, at the court of Great Britain.

If the congress shall choose to form agreements of non-importation and non-exportation immediately, we desire the deputies from this province will endeavor to have them so formed as to be binding upon all, and that they may be PERMANENT, should the public interest require it. They cannot be efficacious, unless they can be permanent, and it spPers to us, that there will be a danger of their being infringed, if they are not formed with great caution and deliberation. We have determined in the present situation of public affairs to consent FOURTHLY. As to the regulation of trade-we to a stoppage of our commerce with Great Britain are of opinion, that by making some few amend-only; but in case any proceedings of parliament, of ments, the commerce of the colonies might be which notice shall be received on this continent, settled on a firm establishment, advantageous to before or at the congress, shall render it necessary, Great Britain and them, requiring and subject to no future alterations, without mutual consent. We desire to have this point considered by the congress; and such measures taken, as they may judge proper.

In order to obtain redress of our common griev ances, we observe a general inclination among the

in the opinion of the c ngress, to take further steps, the inhabitants of this province will adopt such steps, and do all in their power to carry them into execution.

This extensive power we commit to the congress, for the sake of preserving that unanimity of counsel and conduct, that alone can work out the

salvation of these colonies, with a strong hope and congress, to such a day as they shall judge proper, trust, that they will not draw this province into and the appointment of a standing committee. any measure judged by us, who must be better acquainted with its state than strangers, highly Charles Thomson, be a committee to write to the Agreed, that John Dickinson, Joseph Reade, and inexpedient. Of this kind, we know any other stoppage of trade, but of that with Great Britain, these resolves and instructions. neighboring colonies, and communicate to them

will be. Even this step we should be extremely afflicted to see taken by the congress, before the

Agreed, that the committee for the city and

Extract from the minutes,

CHARLES THOMSON, secretary.

other mode above pointed out is tried. But should county of Philadelphia, or any fifteen of them, be it be taken, we apprehend that a plan of restric-a committee of correspondence for the general tions may be so framed, agreeably to the respective committee of this province. circumstances of the several colonies, as to render Great Britain sensible of the imprudence of her counsels, and yet leave them a necessary com merce. And here it may not be improper to take Philadelphia, June, 1774. notice, that if redress of our grievances cannot be At a very large and respectable meeting of the wholly obtained, the extent or continuance of our freeholders and freemen of the city and county restrictions may, in some sort, be proportioned to of Philadelphia, on Saturday, June 18. 1774, the rights we are contending for, and the degree Thomas Willing, John Dickinson, esquires, chairmen. of relief afforded us. This mode will render our 1. Resolved, That the act of parliament, for opposition as perpetual as our oppression, and will be shutting up the port of Boston, is unconstitutional; A CONTINUAL CLAIM AND ASSERTION OF OUR RIGHTS. Oppressive to the inhabitants of that town; danger. We cannot express the anxiety, with which we ous to the liberties of the British colonies; and that wish the consideration of these points to be recom- therefore, we consider our brethren, at Boston, as mended to you. We are persuaded, that if these suffering in the common cause of America. colonies fail of unanimity, or prudence in forming their resolutions, or of fidelity in observing them, the opposition by non-importation and non-exportation agreements will be ineffectual; and then we shall have only the alternative of a more dangerous contention, or of a tame submission.

Upon the whole, we shall repose the highest confidence in the wisdom and integrity of the ensuing congress: and though we have, for the satisfaction of the good people of this province,

colonies, in North America, is the most propable II. That a congress of deputies from the several and proper mode of procuring relief for our suffering brethren, obtaining redress of American grievances, securing our rights and liberties, and re-establishing peace and harmony between Great Britain and these colonies, on a constitutional foundation.

III. That a large and respectable committee be immediately appointed for the city and county of

Philadelphia, to correspond with the sister colonies and with the several counties in this province, in order that all may unite in promoting and endeavor. ing to attain the great and valuable ends, mentioned in the foregoing resolution.

who have chosen us for this express purpose, offered you such instructions, as have appeared expedient to us, yet it is not our meaning, that by these or by any you may think proper to give them, the deputies appointed by you should be restrained from agreeing to any measures that shall be apIV. That the committee nominated by this meetproved by a majority of the deputies in congress.ng shall consult together, and on mature deliberaWe should be glad the deputies chosen by you tion determine, what is the most proper mode of could, by their influence, procure our opinions collecting the sense of this province, and appointhereby communicated to you, to be as nearly ing deputies for the same, to attend a general conadhered to, as may be possible: but to avoid dif- gress; and having determined thereupon, shall take ficulties, we desire that they may be instructed by such measures, as by them shall be judged most you, to agree to any measures that shall be ap. expedient, for procuring this province to be reproved by the congress, in the manner before-presented at the said congress, in the best manmentioned; the inhabitants of this province baving her that can be devised for promoting the public resolved to adopt and carry them into execution. welfare.

Lastly-we desire the deputies from this province, V. That the committee be instructed immediately may endeavor to procure an adjournment of theo set on foot a subscription for the relief of such

poor inhabitants of the town of Boston, as may be the hour of distress, and while we are uniting for deprived of the means of subsistence by the operation of the act of parliament, commonly styled the Boston-port bill. The money arising from such subscription to be laid out as the committee shall think will best answer the ends proposed.

the benefit of all, to guard them against that desperation, whose effects will be pernicious to all, Indeed, my fellow-citizens, this is probably but a part of that scene in which we shall be called to act, or suffer; it is so most assuredly, if that devoted town, deserted and forsaken, should, in the sgonies of hunger and want, sink under the load, or burst persons, viz. John Dickinson, Edward Pennington, forth in a desperate effort to throw it off. Policy,

VI. That the committee consist of forty-three

John Nixon, Thomas Willing, George Clymer,
Samuel Howell, Joseph Reade, John Roberts,
(miller) Thomas Wharton, jun. Charles Thomson,
Jacob Barge, Thomas Barclay, William Rush,
Robert Smith, (carpenter,) Thomas Fitzimons,
George Roberts, Samuel Ervin, Thomas Mifflin,
John Cox, George Gray, Robert Morris, Samuel
Miles, John M. Neshit, Peter Chevalier, William
Moulder, Joseph Moulder, Anthony Morris, jun.
John Allen, Jeremiah Warder, jun. rev. D. William
Smith, Paul Engle, Thomas Penrose, James Mease,

humanity, the love of liberty and our country, and every principle that can ennoble the human mind, are now called forth into action; but in a manner which the most peaceable cannot disapprove, and the most animated cannot err or mislead: if any lurking prejudices or remembrances of former hardships hang upon any of our minds, how noble, how magnanimous will it appear to cast them far behind us.-To shew the world, that like Christians indeed, we cannot only forget and forgive, but lead the way in one great collected effort of public Benjamin Marshall, Reuben Haines, John Bayard, virtue and benevolence-that no partial views, or

Jonathan B. Smith, Thomas Wharton, Isaac Howell, Michael Hillegas, Adam Hubley, George Schlosser, and Christopher Ludwick.

private resentments can check the generous impulse arising from violated rights and insulted patriotism. That man must be unworthy, or insensible of the honor derived from the rank of a freeman, who can withhold his mite from such accumulated distress; but I am sure this public spirited city can need no stimulus on this occasion. We shall inspire our suffering brethren with sentiments of the most tender confidence, and affectionate gratitude, pour oil and balsam into their bleeding wounds:- when the ear hears of us, it shall bless us, and when the eye sees us, it shall bear witness: because we delivered the poor that cried-the fatherless, and those who had none to help them. The widow's heart shall sing for joy, and the blessings of those, who are ready to perish, shall come upon us. PHILANTHROPos.

My friends and fellow-citizens!—A few days will present you with an opportunity of displaying the most noble beneficence and exalted humanity in the cause of liberty and virtue. It cannot be doubted, that the operation of the cruel edict, against the town of Boston, will expose its inha. bitants, your brethren, fellow subjects and Americans, to the dreadful dangers of penury and want. The voice of freedom in distress is a sound which, I trust, no American can hear unmoved: think, my dear fellow-citizens, what would be your own expectations, if pressed by the immediate hand of power, your streets should echo with the cries of the laboring poor and industrious tradesmen, the widow, and the orphan, lacking bread: how would you look round with anxious eyes upon those, Letter from the committee of Norfolk and Ports.

mouth to the Boston committee.

whom the policy of a vindictive minister had yet enabled to administer to your wants? how would NORFOLK, June 3, 1774. their bounty, like the gentle dew of Heaven, cheer Gentlemen-We gladly take this first opportunity your drooping spirits, and dispel the dreadful of assuring our brethren of Boston, on this melangloom: the distresses of Boston have a peculiar choly occasion, that we are not indifferent specta claim upon all, who have recommended firmness, tors of their distressing situation, under the present prudence, and moderation; they must be enabled cruel exertion of British power, to support an edict to follow this advice, and exercise these virtues: calculated to ruin their trade, and forever subject the common interests of American liberty oppose a very considerable property to the arbitrary plea their prostration at the feet of a haughty and un. sure of the crown. Our bosoms glow with tender feeling minister; the dignity of the cause cannot regard for you; we sympathize with you in your be sullied by hasty and precipitate measures: Is sufferings, and thought it our duty devoutly to it not then our duty and our interest, with a observe the appointment of the first of June, as 3 liberality becoming freemen, to support them in day of fasting and prayer, solemnly to address the

Almighty Ruler to support you in your afflictions, for their faithful discharge of that important trust: and to remove from our sovereign, those pernicious And the same was done accordingly. counsellors that have been wicked instruments of your oppression. Be assured we consider you as suffering in the common cause, and look upon ourselves as bound by the most sacred and solemn ties, to support you in every measure that shall be found necessary to regain your just rights and pri- four years of age. vileges. As we have had occasion to communicate

our sentiments to Charleston and Baltimore, we

To increase our flocks of sheep, and thereby promote the woolen manufacture in this province, Resolved, That no person ought to kill any lamb, dropt before the first day of May yearly, or other sheep, after the first day of January next, under

To increase the manufacture of linen and cotton, refer you to those letters and the other papers Resolved, That every planter and farmer ought to transmitted to you; and although we are not one raise as much flax, hemp, and cotton, as he conof the larger commercial towns on the continent, veniently can; and the cultivation thereof is paryet as the trade is more collected here, than in icularly recommended to such inhabitants of this any other place of this well watered and extensive province, whose lands are best adapted to that dominion, we thought it our duty to communicate purpose-And resolved, That no flax-seed, of the what we apprehend to be the sense of the mercantile growth of the present year, ought to be purchased part of the community among us. for exportation, after the twelfth day of this month,

That the Almighty arm may support you and shield you in the hour of danger, is the fervent prayer of,

Gentlemen, your affectionate brethren,
THOMAS NEWTON, jun.
JOSEPH HUTCHINGS,
MATTHEW PHripp,
SAMUEL KER,
ROBERT SHEDDEN,
HENRY BROWN,
ALEXANDER SKINNER,
THOMAS BROWN,

ANNAPOLIS, December 15, 1774. At a meeting of the deputies appointed by the several counties of the province of Maryland, at the city of Annapolis, by adjournment, on the 8th day of December, 1774, and continued till the 12th day of the same month, were present, eighty-five members.

MR. JOHN HALL in the chair, and

MR. JOHN DUCKETT, clerk.

It being represented to this convention, that any merchants and traders of this province, from a scarcity of cash to make their remittances, and other causes, had sold their goods, within twelve months next before the twentieth day of October last, at, and sometimes even below, the prime cost and that, in many different parts of this province, merchants had vended their goods at a very different advance on the prime cost; and it appearing (to this convention to be unjust to compel such merchants to sell their goods at prime cost, and that one general rule, allowing a reasonable profit to the trader, and preventing him from taking ad. vantage of the scarcity of goods which may be occasioned by the non importation, would give great satisfaction to the merchants and people of this province, resolved unanimously, That no mer. chant ought to sell his goods, at wholesale, for more than 112 per cent.-at retail, for cash, for more than 13 per cent.-on credit, for more than 150 per cent. advance on the prime cost; and that no merchant, or other person, ought to engross any goods; wares, or merchandize whatsoever.And in case any question should arise, respecting the prime cost of goods, every merchant or factor possessing or owning such goods, ought to ascer. tain the same on oath, if requested to do it by the committtee.

As a further regulation to enforce an observance of the late continental association-Resolved unanimously, That in all cases, where breaches of the continental association, or the resolves of this con

The proceedings of the continental congress were read, considered, and upanimously approved. RESOLVED, That every member of this convention will, and every person in the province ought strictly and inviolably to observe and carry into execution the association agreed on by the said continental congress. On motion, unanimously resolved, That the vention, shall happen and be declared such by any thanks of this convention be given, by the chair-committee of a county, no gentleman of the law man, to the gentlemen who represented this pro- ought to bring or prosecute any suit whatever for vince as deputies in the late continental congress, such offender: And if any factor shall commit any

breach of the said association or resolves, that no amount to the following sums in the respective gentleman of the law ought to bring or prosecute counties, to wit: any suit for any debt due to the store of which the said factor has the management, after notice as aforesaid.

Resolved, That it is earnestly recommended, by this convention, to the people of this province, that the determinations of the several county com mittees be observed and acquiesced in: That no persons, except members of the committees, under take to meddle with or determine any question respecting the construction of the association entered into by the continental congress: And that peace and good order be inviolably maintained throughout this province.

Resolved unanimously, That if the late acts of parliament, relative to the Massachusetts-Bay, shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force in that colony, or if the assumed power of parliament to tax the colonies shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in that colony or any other colony, that in such case, this province will support such colony to the utmost of their power.

Resolved unanimously, That a well regulated militia, composed of the gentlemen, freeholders, and other freemen, is the natural strength and only stable security of a free government, and that

In St. Mary's county

Charles
Calvert

Prince George's

Anne Arundel
Frederick

Baltimore

Harford

Worcester
Somerset
Dorchester
Caroline
Talbot

Queen Anne's

Kent
Cæcil

£600

800

366

And that the committees of the respective counties lay out the same in the purchase of arms and ammunition for the use of such county, to be secured and kept in proper and convenient places, under the direction of the said committees.

Resolved unanimously, That it will be necessary that a provincial meeting of deputies, chosen by the several counties of this province, should be

held in the city of Annapolis, on Monday, the 24th day of April next, unless American grievances be

redressed before that time; and therefore we recommend that the several counties of this province choose deputies, as soon as conveniently may be, to attend such meeting: And the committee of correspondence for this province are impowered to call a meeting of the said deputies, before the said 24th day of April, if they shall esteem it necessary.

such militia will relieve our mother country from any expense in our protection and defence; will obviate the pretence of a necessity for taxing us on that account, and render it unnecessary to keep any standing army (ever dangerous to liberty) in this province: And therefore it is recommended to such of the said inbabitants of this province as are from sixteen to fifty years of age, to form themselves into companies of sixty-eight men; to choose a captain, two lieutenants, an ensign, four serjeants, four corporals, and one drummer, for Resolved unanimously, That contributions from each company; and use their utmost endeavors to the several counties of this province, for supply. make themselves masters of the military exercise: ing the necessities, and alleviating the distresses That each man be provided with a good firelock of our brethren at Boston, ought to be continued and bayonet fitted thereon, half a pound of powder, in such manner and so long as their occasions may two pounds of lead, and a cartouch-box, or powder- require; and that it is the duty of the committees horn and bag for ball, and be in readiness to act on of each county to collect and transmit the same as any emergency. soon as possible.

Resolved unanimously, That it is recommended Resolved unanimously, That the hon. Matthew to the committees of each county to raise by Tilghman, and John Hall, Samuel Chase, Thomas subscription, or in such other voluntary manner Johnson, jun. Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Charas they may think proper, and will be most agreea-les Carroll, barrister, and William Paca, esquires, ble to their respective counties, such sums of or any three or more of them, be a committee of money as, with any monies already raised, will correspondence for this province.